$720,000 to deliver job opportunities for Wandoan region
Published Wednesday, 18 February, 2009 at 08:08 PM
Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Rod Welford
Xstrata Coal Queensland and the Bligh Government will work together to deliver job opportunities and improved education and training outcomes for people in Wandoan and the larger Surat Basin.
Minister for Education and Training Rod Welford today welcomed the partnership through which Xstrata Coal will invest $720,000 over three years in public education and training in the region.
“Jobs and industry readiness are vital in the current economic climate and our aim will be to help Wandoan and neighbouring towns benefit from this initial investment,” Mr Welford said.
“At every stage of learning from Prep to post-secondary education and training this partnership can deliver innovative and exciting avenues for learning, training and relevant work experience for local young people.
“This will make a huge difference in the lives of these young Queenslanders, their communities and future generations.
“By keeping young people engaged with education, the project will help set them on pathways to a successful future and employment.
“One aspect of the project will introduce senior students to careers in various fields such as traditional trades, geology, engineering, surveying and science.”
Xstrata Coal General Manager Southern Region, Bill McKinstrey said his company had committed the funding from its Corporate Social Involvement programme for three years regardless of the outcome of the approval process for its proposed Wandoan Coal Project.
“If our coal mine proceeds it will offer employment in Wandoan and its surrounds during construction and operation,” Mr McKinstrey said.
“Throughout our discussions with the local community, securing employment and economic benefits for the local community, as a result of this mine, has been a priority for the people of Wandoan.
“We want to support existing public programmes and add our own value where we can so that our investment is productive and creates sustainable ongoing benefits for the local community.”
Mr McKinstrey said Xstrata Coal’s contribution could be monetary or practical, with investment in core education programmes also supported by the availability of the mine site as a learning environment.
“One example of our support might be to provide industry standard equipment for use by trainees and apprentices,” he said.
Wandoan State School will be among three schools in the Surat region to benefit from Xstrata Coal’s investment in a range of programmes to be defined as part of its Corporate Social Involvement Programme.
Media contacts: Minister Welford’s Office – Jo Crompton on 3237 1000
Xstrata Coal – James Rickards on 3115 5382
Minister for Education and Training Rod Welford today welcomed the partnership through which Xstrata Coal will invest $720,000 over three years in public education and training in the region.
“Jobs and industry readiness are vital in the current economic climate and our aim will be to help Wandoan and neighbouring towns benefit from this initial investment,” Mr Welford said.
“At every stage of learning from Prep to post-secondary education and training this partnership can deliver innovative and exciting avenues for learning, training and relevant work experience for local young people.
“This will make a huge difference in the lives of these young Queenslanders, their communities and future generations.
“By keeping young people engaged with education, the project will help set them on pathways to a successful future and employment.
“One aspect of the project will introduce senior students to careers in various fields such as traditional trades, geology, engineering, surveying and science.”
Xstrata Coal General Manager Southern Region, Bill McKinstrey said his company had committed the funding from its Corporate Social Involvement programme for three years regardless of the outcome of the approval process for its proposed Wandoan Coal Project.
“If our coal mine proceeds it will offer employment in Wandoan and its surrounds during construction and operation,” Mr McKinstrey said.
“Throughout our discussions with the local community, securing employment and economic benefits for the local community, as a result of this mine, has been a priority for the people of Wandoan.
“We want to support existing public programmes and add our own value where we can so that our investment is productive and creates sustainable ongoing benefits for the local community.”
Mr McKinstrey said Xstrata Coal’s contribution could be monetary or practical, with investment in core education programmes also supported by the availability of the mine site as a learning environment.
“One example of our support might be to provide industry standard equipment for use by trainees and apprentices,” he said.
Wandoan State School will be among three schools in the Surat region to benefit from Xstrata Coal’s investment in a range of programmes to be defined as part of its Corporate Social Involvement Programme.
Media contacts: Minister Welford’s Office – Jo Crompton on 3237 1000
Xstrata Coal – James Rickards on 3115 5382