Welcoming our newest Vocational Training and Employment Centre graduates to Christmas Creek

Jul 1, 2022

Our Vocational Training and Employment Centre (VTEC) program has celebrated another graduation in Port Hedland, with eight trainees being offered full time employment.
 
After successfully completing the program at Port Hedland over a 12-week period, the graduates have secured full-time employment across our Chichester Hub operations as part of the mobile maintenance, mine services, ore processing facility and dewatering teams.
 
VTEC graduate and Bunjima woman Kirrilee Lockyer previously worked in hospitality and will soon commence her first full time job as a Mining Operator Trainee. She has credited the program with changing her life; helping to build her confidence and develop team building skills.  
 
“I was inspired to apply for VTEC by my brother who has also completed the program. Watching him grow from a shy person who wasn’t sure of himself into the proud, confident man he is today, really showed me that this was something I could have too.” 
 
VTEC graduate and Kariyarra man Adrian Clinch is a father of four and will soon commence as Service Person Trainee at Christmas Creek. 
 
“The program has changed my outlook on life, I feel optimistic about where my career can now take me. Fortescue is like a family, the support has been so valuable, and I am proud to be able to start building a sustainable future not just for me but for my children as well.”
 
Fortescue Director Communities, Environment and Government Warren Fish said, “At Fortescue, we are committed to building vibrant and thriving communities by supporting capability building opportunities in the regions in which we operate.  
 
“Since our Vocational Training and Employment Centre program began in 2006, over 1,000 Aboriginal people have successfully completed training and gone on to commence full time employment with Fortescue. Each VTEC graduation is a demonstration of how this pioneering program continues to empower generational change for Aboriginal people, by setting up graduates with lifelong skills that support a sustainable career in the resources sector and beyond.”