Karara Mining (KM) has launched an exciting new local scholarship program aimed at encouraging Morawa high school students considering a career in mining and resources. The scholarship – to be offered to two senior school students each from Morawa District High School and Western Australian College of Agriculture Morawa – will give the students the opportunity to secure a mechanical apprenticeship with KM working on its Karara iron ore project; which is currently being constructed.
The project is located just one hour’s drive from Morawa and a similar distance from Perenjori. The program represents an opportunity for KM to cement partnerships with local Mid West schools and develop innovative new pathways for local students to gain a long-term career with the company, helping to address the skills shortage in the region and provide new employment opportunities for local communities.
KM, a joint venture between Gindalbie Metals and Ansteel, commenced construction at Karara late last year and is targeting first iron ore exports in mid-2011. With an expected life of over 50 years, Karara will generate an estimated 600 new Mid West jobs, both direct and indirect, more than 1,500 jobs during construction, annual export revenues from stage one of around A$1 billion, and around A$630 million in capital contributions to upgrade regional infrastructure.
The scholarships program is part of an active community engagement program being implemented by KM as it ramps up construction and increases its profile within Mid West communities.
Two students from each school will be selected to participate and will be offered a mechanical apprenticeship with KM at the successful completion of Year 12, as well as being provided with financial assistance towards their studies. Subject to meeting the conditions of the scholarship on an ongoing basis, KM will cover a significant proportion of the student’s school fees.
Chief Operating Officer of KM, Stephen Murdoch, said the scholarship program was designed to provide an opportunity for local students to pursue a career in the mining industry and stay within the Mid West region.
Murdoch: “The size and scope of the Karara iron ore project means that KM is set to become a major employer in the Mid West region, with over 600 direct and indirect local jobs expected to be created. We’ve launched this scholarship program to help local school students complete the study and training that’s required to take advantage of this very significant long-term employment opportunity.
“In addition, we recognise that many local kids feel the need to move to Perth or other regional centres when they finish school to pursue employment. We hope this scholarship program will encourage some of them stay in the Mid West,” Murdoch continued.
“We see this as a positive and proactive step towards building the skills and human resources available in the Mid West region which in the long-term will benefit KM and benefit communities like Morawa.”