Certificate II: Surface Extraction is a seven week course improving the outlook for trainees from a range of backgrounds, many of which were previously unemployed.

Debra Drake from Axxis Training said said the program increased the participants’ confidence as much as their skills.

“After nine weeks we have seen these young and older trainees develop into people who have more confidence and are keen to gain employment in the Mount Isa region,” Ms Drake said.

“We had 21 students start, one got a job part way through, and one got hurt and had to finish so we did pretty well.

“A lot of them are long-term unemployed, a lot of them don’t have licenses, so this helps them work towards that,” she said.

Ms Drake said the certificate is for the mining industry, but if they get a loader, a roller or a moxy ticket they can transfer across to civil work.

The course usually runs for seven weeks but this one has stretched out to eight or nine to allow students to complete the 13 modules.

Axxis Business Trainer Eric Whitehouse said the 19 participants made an impressive effort to complete the course.

“They’ve done everything that’s been asked of them, and they’ve done a tremendous job,” Mr Whitehouse said.

The course covers a range of safety issue to prepare the trainees for on-site work, and gives them experience on the job.

“Those 13 units cover a broad range of safety issues, so the main thing is to ensure these men and women are safe in their working environment and it gives them a qualification to actually apply for jobs,” he said.

Mr Whitehouse explained how Axxis Training helps Queensland people train and move towards employment in the industry.

“Axxis is the Queensland arm of Carey Training, so we deliver in Queensland on behalf of them,” Mr Whitehouse said.

“Carey is a totally owned and self-funded indigenous company and they didn’t have the infrastructure to do it, so we’ve married up to deliver it here,” he said.