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Transforming Tennant Creek: How Local Training is Boosting Skills and Jobs
Home Transforming Tennant Creek: How Local Training is Boosting Skills and Jobs
26 February 2025
6 minute read

In Tennant Creek, a practical solution to a pressing problem has taken root. Batchelor Institute, working alongside RN Employment Services, has launched a 10-week training program that’s equipping 24 locals with a Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations (RII30820). With new mines springing up across the region, this initiative is a timely response to the demand for skilled workers, addressing a long-standing skills shortage in remote Australia.

Barry Whalan, Senior Lecturer at Batchelor Institute, sums it up: "we're addressing the skills shortage in remote areas of Australia. Our goal is to empower local residents with qualifications and practical experience necessary for immediate employment in civil construction." The program doesn’t just teach—it’s built from the ground up to match Tennant Creek’s unique workforce needs, thanks to a partnership with RN Employment Services that keeps it rooted in the area’s employment realities and cultural fabric.

Fiona McCabe, General Manager at RN Employment Services, emphasises the program’s purpose: "Our focus is on creating job pathways for locals. With many mines opening up, there's an urgent need for skilled workers, and this program not only trains individuals on-site but also ensures they can step directly into roles that are in high demand locally, supporting both personal and regional economic growth." The training zeroes in on heavy machinery used in local projects, making sure participants are job-ready from day one.

The impact reaches beyond just filling jobs. Steve Edgington, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, sees it as a game-changer for the region. “Opportunities to help local trainees, including thirteen Aboriginal students, equip themselves with qualifications and practical experience to gain entry into the workforce is so important,” he says. “It not only empowers residents but unlocks economic participation which is essential to Closing the Gap.” With mining activity on the rise, the timing couldn’t be better.

For James, a local machine operator with 32 years in Tennant Creek, the program is a rare chance. "I’m a machine operator already but when I saw this opportunity to do the Cert III I jumped at it because in my 32 years in Tennant Creek, we’ve never had this opportunity before. It’s come at the perfect time as well with all the mines opening up," he shares. His story highlights how the course meets people where they are, tackling the challenges of remote living head-on.

To connect training with real-world opportunities, the program includes an industry visit day on February 28, 2025. Representatives from Tennant Mining and Remote Concrete NT will meet participants, offering a firsthand look at their operations and discussing potential jobs. This direct link ensures the skills learned translate straight into the local job market.

Hands-on training is powered by Batchelor’s own gear, including a brand-new Wheel Loader, giving participants real experience that sets them up for success. It’s not just about fixing today’s skills gap—it’s about building a foundation for long-term growth and stability in Tennant Creek.

Both Batchelor Institute and RN Employment Services honor the Traditional Owners of the land, recognising their enduring ties to Country, culture, and community. For more details, reach out to Sean Rung at 0450701003 or sean.rung@batchelor.edu.au 

This program is more than education—it’s a stepping stone to economic strength and local empowerment in Tennant Creek, perfectly timed with the region’s mining surge.