An Indigenous mine worker who has just returned from Port Hedland in Western Australia has told a large crowd at the senior citizens hall in Wellington it's up to locals to 'engineer their new future'.
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Darcy West, who was born in Wellington, has recently retired from work as a truck driver for a West Australian mining company
" I've just retired I am 65. In the last two years I have earned a lot of money. This is the opportunity for you of a lifetime," he said.
Mr West was talking at a seminar led by Herb Smith from Bayai Wellington and Centacare Bathurst which discussed the Pathways to Pilbara program, designed to place Aboriginal men and women into jobs in the mining industry across Australia.
Mr Smith told the group of more than 50 this was a chance too good to miss out on.
"We are right in the firing line here. The Pathways to Pilbara program team are very keen and we have to prepare to be our best. Show them we're keen to work," he said.
Ian Brown, a 23-year-old Wellington man, said he was prepared to seize the opportunity.
"I am working toward getting a job in the mining field. I have all tickets and I am ready to go," he said.
Mr Smith said the Pathway to Pilbara recruitment group would be in Wellington today at the Wellington Soldiers Club.
"We can't just ramble in," he said.
"We have to be professional, have your resume, your certificates and ask a lot of questions and sell yourself.
"This is not a one-off but now is the time to be mine-ready.''
Wellington's TAFE manager Gina Parkes said she was impressed with the turn-out and said there were locals who had studied with TAFE who were mine-ready.
"This is a fantastic opportunity," she said.
"Those who have done their Certificate III Civil Construction certificate are great possibilities,'' she said.
The Pathways to Pilbara group are also heading to Dubbo.
