Queensland new-to-industry intake gets women into mining

Two trailblazing women have swapped the salon and vet hospital for new careers at the New Acland mine in Queensland.

Jodi Keane-Venz, a former hairdresser and teacher and Ella Graham, a former vet nurse, started work at New Acland Coal in August.

The duo is part of a new-to-industry intake, which required no prior knowledge of the mining industry.

Mrs Keane-Venz, an Oakey based hairdresser for the past 30 years says she jumped at the opportunity to swap the scissors of the salon for the roads of the New Acland mine.

“My husband and sons have worked in the mining industry for years, but it was never a career I considered until recently,” she said.

“As an operator, I now control some of the biggest machines and drive some of the largest vehicles on site — it’s very different to the hair salon!

“I have spent the past four decades living and working in Oakey.

“I’m proud of this community and the valuable role the mine plays.

“I don’t consider myself a trailblazer, rather a respected member of the team who has the opportunity to learn from some of the best operators and technicians in the industry.

“I’m very lucky.”

Similar to Mrs Keane-Venz, Ms Graham traded in the stethoscope for a career as an operator, driving some of New Acland Coal’s largest vehicles, including its fleet of CAT haul trucks.

Ms Grahams says she spent three years as a vet nurse before taking on the operator role at the New Acland mine.

“I was chasing a lifestyle change and more flexibility, so when a friend sent me the job ad on Facebook, I jumped at the opportunity,” she said.

“The team has been so welcoming and supportive, and the emphasis on safety and wellbeing has blown me away.

“I feel genuinely cared for.”

New Acland mine general manager Dave O’Dwyer says New Hope Group received more than 1,000 expressions of interest for the new-to-industry roles.

“Jodi and Ella, along with the recent intake of new starters will play an important role in ensuring safe coal production and delivery, with trainees working both days and nights on site,” he said.

“No prior mining experience was necessary to be considered for the roles, with Jodi, Ella and their new colleagues all receiving comprehensive training.

“I have no doubt [that] Jodi and Ella will be amongst our safest and most skilled operators very soon.

“The sheer number of applications proves there is a thirst for well paid, local jobs at New Acland mine and reinforce the fact the overwhelming majority of the local community, including residents, families, farmers, small business owners and community organisations support Stage 3.”

There are now more than 180 employees at the New Acland mine.

At the peak of construction, there will be approximately 600 local workers at the New Acland mine. Throughout the life of the project, the permanent workforce will be approximately 400 full-time roles, made up of Darling Downs locals.

Unlike a lot of other mines in Queensland, the New Acland mine does not engage fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workers, with more than 90% of the current workforce living within 50km of the site.

Local workers, contractors and local businesses will benefit to the tune of $1b over the life of the New Acland mine Stage 3 project.