Training Update

25 Jul 07

The training team, mentors and students.

The Training program is now in the last stages and will be completed by 17 August.

The AACAP 07 training initiative has been very successful; with 15 students regularly attending training workshops five days per week for the past three months. During this time civilian personnel and military personnel have been involved with teaching these students skills that will assist them to gain employment or educational opportunities in the future.

A trainee learning to weld

Students have participated in educational workshops in literacy and numeracy, computers and IT, workplace safety, first aid, operation of power tools, wood work, metal work and welding.

They have participated in survival training exercises, alcohol awareness programs and many more educational activities.

A definite highlight for trainers and trainees alike was a trip to Century Mine, located about 200km South of Doomadgee. Here the members were able to tour the mine facilities and gain an understanding of how the mine operates and what work is available for them in this region.

Although it is not an immediately measurable or physically tangible outcome, the work that the Training Team has provided throughout AACAP 07 will benefit the participants and community well into the future.

TRAINING TEAM

Community members attending a training workshop

The Training Team provide one of the more influential effects of AACAP. ARMY tradesmen and ARMY education members work closely with the community and other government agencies, such as TAFE, to run training workshops for members of the local community. The local community members enrol in the training course through the local school and attend the training five days per week for three months.

During this training period, local ARMY Reserve members fill the roll of mentors. While training, there is one instructor and one mentor for every five students. The students learn trade skills such as welding, steel work, carpentry, computer skills and other educational courses in writing, mathematics and healthy living.

The community members that complete the training receive certification that will enable them to apply for jobs within the local community and surrounding areas. With community assistance and funding, previous AACAP community trainees have developed small business' supplying fabricated metal shelving and furniture to local companies and the mining industry.

CAPT Reilly provides assistance to a group of students

Pictures

A Face Shovel at Century Mine

Century Mine runs some of the biggest trucks in Australia

A production blast at Century Mine

Century Mine is an "open pit" mine