Equipping young Clontarf men for success

Thiess is working alongside the Clontarf Foundation to improve the education, discipline, life skills and self-esteem of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men. 

Since announcing its national partnership with the Clontarf Foundation earlier this year, Thiess has focused on building relationships with academies and creating opportunities through education and employment. 
Regional employment forums 
Thiess helped academy students make informed career choices by attending regional employment forums held in Toowoomba, Townsville and Newcastle.  
Clontarf students in year 11 and 12 were introduced to Thiess’ training and development programs for apprentices, undergraduates and vacation students. 
The forums aimed to encourage and expose academy students to career opportunities available through Clontarf’s partner organisations.
Learning our business  
Clontarf students immersed themselves in real-life working conditions when they visited Thiess operations in Queensland and New South Wales.
Students from Clontarf’s Dalby and Warwick academies completed two-days' work experience at the Thiess Head Office in South Bank, Brisbane.
Principal Mine Planning Mehmet Doktan and Automation Manager Trent Smith shared insights into the exciting world of mine engineering and remote-operated technology.
Senior Training Specialist Shannon Tonges showed year-seven students from the Harristown academy through Thiess’ Component Rebuild Centre in Darra.
They observed daily duties undertaken by Thiess apprentices and learnt about the career pathways available to them.
Our Mt Owen operations invited students from Singleton and Newcastle High School academies onsite.  They visited the maintenance workshop and explored the pit experiencing first-hand what it is like to work on a project
On the job at Mt Owen 
Clontarf Singleton Academy student Jory Kennedy Jones started a weekly placement at Thiess’ Mt Owen operations in March
"I have really been enjoying working at Thiess as it has strengthened my passion for being a mechanic. The real work experience has provided me with a good understanding of the servicing and safety issues that are required to keep heavy mining machinery operational,” Jory said.
Our Mt Owen team have supported short-term work placements for Clontarf students during school holidays.
Playing the Game
Our Queensland and New South Wales teams are working with the Clontarf Foundation use sport and mentoring as a way to engage young people in education, build self-esteem and enable personal development.
Brisbane team members Ronnie Lawton and James Perrett recently participated in the 2019 Clontarf Brisbane Cricket Carnival held at the Allan Border cricket fields in Albion. The event presented an opportunity for students from south-east academies to engage and spend time with partners from various organisations.
More than 500 students from across New South Wales participated in the Ross Kelly Cup rugby league carnival in Sydney. The annual carnival recognises students who have achieved high school attendance, demonstrated exceptional behaviour and have been outstanding role models.
Thiess representatives supported the event by attending the celebration dinner to congratulate students on their outstanding achievements.
Joining the team 
Thiess’ Hunter Valley operations will welcome three Clontarf academy students to the team in 2020.
The Singleton academy students have been accepted into the MIGAS 2020 Apprentice intake and will join crews at our Mt Arthur and Mt Owen operations.
“I am excited about being provided with a promising and local job opportunity as a Plant Mechanic in the NSW Mining industry,” Clontarf academy student Blair Treacey said.
In Queensland, three Clontarf academy students have progressed through to the next round of the Thiess Apprentice 2020 intake. We wish them all the best!
Championing the Cause 
Thiess’ involvement with this partnership is not possible without the ongoing support of our people. Special thanks to Shannon Tonges, Leanne Johnson, Phil Baker, Matt King, Vikesh Magan, James Armstrong, Rob Nitz, Robert Munro, Simon Dorward and Karlie Dieben for their ongoing involvement in bringing this partnership to life and making these activities a great success. 
Our team will be expanding the partnership in the Northern Bowen Basin region and in Australia West operations and have already commenced early engagement and relationship building activities with academies.

If you would like to know more about the Clontarf Foundation, you can visit their website or view the partnership video.