UQ to upskill Latin America miners
The University of Queensland (UQ) has been granted $1m in funding to design and deliver short courses for workers at mining projects in Chile and Argentina.
The funding, provided by the Federal Department of Education, is part of an Australian transnational education program supporting the development of global skilled workforces in the critical minerals sector.
UQ’s Sustainable Minerals Institute has a longstanding partnership with the Latin American mining industry through its International Centre of Excellence (SMI-ICE) based in Santiago, Chile. The SMI-ICE Chile currently employs 33 staff members and has strong relationships with local partners.
The funding will support innovative international education projects by expanding transnational education delivery by Australia to a key industry by developing locally relevant courses underpinned by Australia’s Vocational Education Training (VET) standards.
UQ is currently ranked among the top universities globally for mineral and mining engineering and the courses will improve local capacity to deliver technical and vocational education and training.
SMI-ICE Chile executive director Dr Doug Aitken says the training comes as the mining sector continues its broad shift towards more sustainable practices.
“These have been driven by market pressures, rising societal expectations, increasing risk exposure and the tightening of regulatory standards,” he said.
“Queensland, Chile and Argentina are all resource rich regions playing a critical role in supplying the raw materials needed for the global energy transition.”
In Chile, UQ will collaborate with the National Mining Society of Chile (SONAMI) and the National Institute for Professional Training (INACAP) to develop and deliver new courses.
In Argentina, the training will be developed and delivered in partnership with Universidad Católica de Salta (UCASAL) and Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO).
“To meet emerging challenges, it is essential that workers across Latin America have access to high-quality and practical training programs,” Dr Aitken said.
“These programs can support individuals to grow professionally, and they can help ensure the local workforce remains at the forefront of a fast-evolving industry.”