Truck Driver
Melissa
Role: Trainee Operator
Company: Bengalla Mine
What do you like about working for the minerals industry?
The type of equipment, I think. They're always developing new technology within the equipment so the trucks will probably change. We have fairly quiet trucks now but things will change and I'll get the opportunity to work on other equipment. At first it will be new, like the trucks and graders and water carts were for me, it will take a few years to get used to something else, if I get to it. So I can only imagine over the years, if I learn to operate a lot more machinery then it is going to keep me well occupied for a fair while.
What should Year 10 students do to enable them get to where you are today?
I finished Year 12 which I think helped me only in the respect that I was a more mature person and developed other skills such as communication skills and team working. Through staying at school a bit longer I think you can help develop those skills. But when I applied for my job I didn't need any experience, they just looked for personal qualities and characteristics. So you don't have to go to university, there is no TAFE course that you need to do to become a truck driver. I think if you have an interest in this type of work, it helps. You also might like to drive things or have a particular interest in machinery. Some young men, I think, would be interested in doing work on dozers, which seems pretty appealing. It is an opportunity for people who don't have any experience to get a foot into the industry.
What do you see as the key skills & personal qualities that young people need to be successful in the Minerals Industry?
I think you have to be a team person because although you drive your truck on your own, the whole operation works by people working together. You need particularly good communication skills. It's important that you like things to be neat and tidy and have some order. So if you're good at following sequence type things and doing things a particular way, that is beneficial out here. You can't just be a follower, you have to think for yourself. It's important that people are always thinking, especially when it comes to things like safety - you can always be on the lookout for something that doesn't look right. Safety is an important issue that people need to be particularly mindful of when they're working in this industry. It's also important to have a hard working attitude, there is no room for people who are lazy and want to bludge and rely on other people to do their work. Have a positive attitude and don't let things get you down. You're here for twelve hours, if something is going to niggle at you it's going to be a long day.
