The Australian Aboriginal Mining Academy, which aims to facilitate the creation of meaningful job opportunities for Indigenous people in the resources sector, has taken another step forward with a new agreement signed in Kalgoorlie today.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between Curtin, Carey Mining and the Australian Aboriginal Mining Academy, paving the way for the three organisations to work together to advance education and employment opportunities for Aboriginal people in services that support the resources sector.
Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, the Hon Ben Wyatt MLA and Minister for Regional Development, the Hon Alannah MacTiernan MLC, attended the MOU signing, which was held at Curtin University's Kalgoorlie Campus.
Australian Aboriginal Mining Academy Founder and Carey Mining Managing Director Daniel Tucker said the Australian Aboriginal Mining Academy was being established in Kalgoorlie.
Mr Tucker said Carey Mining had an ongoing commitment to improving the social wellbeing of Aboriginal people and a belief that education is one of the core drivers that provides the pathway to employment opportunity and achieving economic prosperity. It forms one of the founding principles behind the establishment of the Australian Aboriginal Mining Academy (AAMA).
"With mining having occurred in this resource rich region for approximately 125 years, and Kalgoorlie home to Curtin's WA School of Mines, recognised as one of the most respected and prestigious providers of courses of study for the global mining industry, it was only natural to consider the Goldfields region for the Academy," Mr Tucker said.
"The AAMA is excited to collaborate with Curtin University's WA School of Mines. Working together, we will seek how best to provide programmes and opportunities to Aboriginal people in the Goldfields region."
Curtin's WA School of Mines Kalgoorlie Director Sabina Shugg said the University was committed to working with industry to encourage more students into careers in the mining and resources sector.
"We are delighted to be working with the Australian Aboriginal Mining Academy and Carey Mining to help inspire the future Indigenous mining workforce and develop pathways into Curtin University," Ms Shugg said.
"This exciting partnership will seek ways to combine outreach programs, enabling courses and the expertise of Curtin's Centre for Aboriginal Studies to strengthen and support the education opportunities available for Indigenous people in the Kalgoorlie-Goldfields region."
The McGowan Government's Regional Economic Development Grants program awarded Carey Mining a grant for a study to define the education and training needs for the Goldfields resource sector to assist in the establishment of the Australian Aboriginal Mining Academy in Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
For more information about the Australian Aboriginal Mining Academy, visit here.
