Indigenous Seafarer training

Just as the Rio Tinto Group values the engagement of an indigenous workforce within its various operations, Rio Tinto Marine also values the inclusion of trained indigenous seafarers working on owned or managed vessels operating to or from Rio Tinto sites, carrying Rio Tinto cargoes

To this end, Rio Tinto has embarked on a selection process in Rio Tinto communities where suitable applicants are given the opportunity to embark on a seafaring career in conjunction with our third party ship-managers. The training programme involves a pre-sea induction, a 13 week Trainee Integrated Rating course at the Australian Maritime College in Launceston, Tasmania followed by working on Australian crewed bulk carriers in order to build up the required practical time in order to be eligible for an Integrated Rating Certificate.

The selection process primarily focuses on interested indigenous communities that support Rio Tinto Business Units such as Gladstone and Weipa and will progressively rolled out into communities supporting other Business Units in the future. The selection process is normally via the Business Unit's community relations group.

In this way, Rio Tinto Marine will build a stronger relationship with Indigenous Communities as well as securing a locally engaged source of well trained seafarers that will continue to operate a Rio Tinto owned and operated vessels.