Case study
Associate Professor for Mining Dr Col Greensill, Anglo American Regional Manager for Human Resources Paul White, one of the pioneering Mining Associate graduates Mitch Cameron (from Callide mine) and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Angela Delves at the MoU signing ceremony Central Queensland University (CQUniversity) Australia and Anglo American met in November 2009, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which continues our collaboration on the innovative Mining Associate Programme.
Under the programme, now available for surface and underground miners and well as safety specialists, ‘mining associates' can gain practical mine site experience and registered training which is integrated with study in CQUniversity's Associate Degree of Engineering (Mining).
The mining associates are able to support mining professionals engaged in mine planning, coal quality management, surveying, environmental monitoring, site projects and other areas as required.
As part of the new MoU, a working group has been set up to oversee and monitor the programme. The programmes were initially available only to Anglo American employees but are now open to any applicants who meet the entry requirements.
Anglo American Regional Manager for Human Resources Paul White, who was on site at CQUniversity to sign the MoU, said the partnership with the university has enabled Anglo American to offer potential employees both employment and development opportunities.
"The programme has been an extremely effective mechanism for us to attract quality candidates regionally. The first four mining associates to complete the programme graduated on 24 April 2009 and all are employed locally at Anglo American mines in Central Queensland," Paul said.