Tom Price Takes Training Award

17 August 2007

A programme which has helped 100 per cent of students at Tom Price Senior High School graduate was announced the winner of the 'WA VET in Schools' category of the Department of Education and Training's WA Training Awards on 17 August.

Rio Tinto Iron Ore's (RTIO) 'Pilbara Pathways Partnership' combines classroom-based training with practical experience in the workplace and is a popular way for students to develop skills that will help them gain employment once they graduate high school.

The Partnership between Rio Tinto Iron Ore, Tom Price Senior High School, Apprenticeships Australia and Pilbara TAFE supports a tailored Vocational Education and Training (VET) programme that prepares students for the workforce and also helps the mining industry attract, recruit and retain employees locally.

VET Coordinator Vanessa Cooke says that prior to the program the school had graduation rates of up to 75 per cent, but since the program began in 2004 the school now enjoys a 100 per cent graduation rate.

"To be eligible for the Pilbara Pathways Partnership program students must attend school regularly, keep their grades up, get homework in on time and be held in good standing at the school," she explains.

"As well as offering work experience, RTIO also sends employees out to our school to talk to students about what various roles and trades involve, help run mock interviews and assist with resume writing."

"The students respond well to hearing from people already employed in the industry, rather than their teachers! It's really helped the kids to sell themselves properly when they apply for jobs."

Tom Price Apprentice Training Supervisor Derek Hewitt says he has so much faith in the Partnership he hopes they'll also take out the national awards, which will be announced later this year.

"Our program is one of the best in Australia, it's certainly one of the most effective partnerships I've ever seen. Nearby towns are now starting to adopt similar models."

Apprentice Training Superintendent Ian Randell says that as Tom Price is an isolated town and the program is helping children of employees gain local employment, it is also strengthening the entire community by helping keep families together.

"Often, if someone can't get a job, a whole family has to consider whether they leave. This stops families from being split up all over the state," says Ian.