KIMBERLEY DIAMOND CO. WINS COMPANY AWARD
AT SKILLSDMC CHAIRMAN’S AWARDS  

Indigenous Training and Workforce Development Program Takes out Top Prize

A Western Australian diamond producer has been awarded top honours for its commitment to Indigenous training and workforce development, by the Chairman of national industry skills council, SkillsDMC.

The annual SkillsDMC Chairman’s Awards recognise individual and enterprise contributions to industry and assisting successful operation of performance-related industry training. Winners include an overall company winner and individuals from each of the five industries represented by SkillsDMC; Coal, Metalliferous, Drilling, Quarrying and Civil Infrastructure.

“Kimberley Diamond Company is a deserved winner of the 2008 Company Chairman’s Award,” says Des Caulfield, SkillsDMC CEO.

“The organisation’s commitment to the region in which it operates goes beyond the historic land use agreements with the land’s traditional owners, the Bunuba people. Its training and development of its Indigenous workforce shows long-term vision and an innovative approach to two large-scale economic issues; the skills shortage and indigenous unemployment,” he says.

Caulfield says, in addition to the company award, individual winners in each of the five industry categories were selected in recognition of their commitment to staff development and excellence in training.

The winners of this year’s SkillsDMC chairman’s awards will be announced at 8.00pm AEST, Wednesday 20 August 2008, at SkillsDMC’s national conference and annual chairman’s awards dinner.

The national conference will see industry come together to share knowledge and set a focus for the future direction of workforce training and development in these sectors. Speakers from enterprise, government and industry groups will discuss issues affecting the resources and infrastructure sectors and strategies to combat the impact of the skills shortage on growth and delivering to global demand.

The full winners list of the 2008 Chairman’s Awards of Excellence is detailed below:

Category: Company Award

Winner: Kimberley Diamond Company

In recognition of its commitment to Indigenous Training and Workforce Development

Category: Coal Award

Winner: Grant Arnold

Organisation: BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance

In recognition of his long term support for Staff Development in the Coal Mining Industry

Category: Metalliferous Award

Winner: Tralee Cunningham

Organisation: Northparkes Mines

In recognition of her long term support for Staff Development in the Metalliferous Mining Industry

Category: Drilling Award

Winner: Leigh Beck

Organisation: Boart Longyear Drilling Services

In recognition of his long term support for Staff Development in the Drilling Industry

Category: Civil Award

Winner: Chris White

Organisation: Civil Contractors Federation

In recognition of his long term support for Staff Development in the Civil Infrastructure Industry

Category: Quarry Award

Winner: Leanne Parker

Organisation: Hanson Construction Materials

In recognition of her long term support for Staff Development in the Quarrying Industry

SkillsDMC would like to congratulate all entrants and winners.

ENDS

For further information or to arrange interview with SkillsDMC CEO Des Caulfield, please contact:

Frances Dwyer, IMPACT Communications

02 9519 5411 / 0402 382 447

frances@impactcommunications.com.au