TAFE WA and Fortescue Metal Group Limited are working together to address Fortescue's skills needs by training people from the local community. Lucy Nash chats to the teacher, Frank Schwalger, and one of the students, CHristelle Lee, as they learn about operating mining machinery.

We find out the skills needed to enter the course, such as licences, attendence and interviews.

SkillsOne recently visited tradies who work in the mining industry in the Pilbarra, in Western Australia, run by the Fortescue Metals Group.

Fortescue focusses on iron ore.

Fortescue's port, rail and mine project commenced construction in February 2006 with the turning of the first sod at the Company's port site at Anderson Point in Port Hedland. Just two years later, the open-access rail infrastructure is complete, the Fortescue Herb Elliott Port is operational and the mining operations at the Company's first minesite, known as Cloudbreak, are well underway.