Fortescue Metals : partners with Morris to support VTEC graduates

Dec 20, 2017

Fortescue Metals Group (Fortescue) is celebrating its final Vocational Training and Employment Centre (VTEC) graduation for the year, with graduates bound for secondments with partner Morris Corp (a division of Sodexo).

Under the partnership with Morris, up to 40 VTEC graduates per year will participate in a six-month placement at one of Fortescue's villages.

Fortescue Chief Executive Officer elect Elizabeth Gaines said the VTEC program provides individualised support that is delivering real outcomes for Aboriginal people through training for guaranteed jobs.

'We are pleased to provide our VTEC graduates with greater diversity in their training by joining with a business partner for the first time to expose them to employment opportunities which provide critical support for the mining sector,' Ms Gaines said.

Graduate Henry Councillor said the training he has received through VTEC has been an incredible opportunity.

'Being out of the workforce, I had lost my confidence and self-esteem and now I am excited about what the future holds. I can't thank Fortescue and Morris enough and look forward to starting my secondment at Christmas Creek,' he said.

Morris Chief Executive Officer Fiona Berkin said the company was very eager to welcome the VTEC graduates to the Morris family.

'We are absolutely delighted to partner with Fortescue Metals Group to provide meaningful employment opportunities,' she said.

The first round of VTEC graduate will commence their secondments with Morris in January 2018. Graduates will continue to receive mentoring and support from Fortescue's Aboriginal Development team, dedicated to helping the graduates succeed and thrive in their careers.

Background
Fortescue's VTEC program is based on the simple but compelling idea: after successfully completing training with Fortescue, you are guaranteed a job.

Since the initiative began a decade ago, more than 770 Aboriginal people have begun employment with Fortescue, and around 790 Aboriginal people have received driver education and health and literacy support service.