Training Courses Haul Truck / Mining Truck / Dump Truck Training. You’ve heard about it, you’ve seen it on television and we know you’ve even thought about it! General Information. The haul truck accreditation is now in high demand with the huge void in operators now being filled by both men and women.

Should I do a dump truck training course?

• March 26, 2018 2:38 am
• Employment Tips

“Should I do a dump truck driver’s training course?” It is one of the most common questions from people wanting to get a start in the mining and resources industry during boom periods.

It seemed straightforward enough: a two-day course, a few applications and voila – a FIFO job earning a six-figure salary was yours!

The reality (as many people discovered) was far from the above.

People were paying upwards of $3000 for a training course and finding themselves still searching for a mining job several months later. We still receive emails from individuals who have completed the training asking how to get a job – and this is despite several training centres offering introductions to their industry connections.

Unfortunately, there are many stories where individuals have paid significant money to complete a training program, only to later learn the training has not provided a recognised qualification.

There are exceptions to this scenario and we are happy to hear from anyone who has completed a training course and secured work.

The Dump Truck Driver’s training course

These two- to five-day dump truck training courses are usually a unit of a nationally recognised qualification, such as a Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations or similar. The requisite here is the courses need to be run by a recognised training organisation. These trainers are accredited under Australian Skills Quality Authority, and Certificates are accredited courses under the Australian Quality Training Framework. A full list of training providers is listed here.

A Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations requires participants to complete three core units and 10 electives, takes up to 12 months, and can cost between $3000 and $5000. The Certificate is a pathway to further training and provides skills and knowledge in safe work practices, risk management, environmental management and other mobile equipment.

According to industry connections, qualifications are viewed favourably by hiring managers and organisations.

Requirements for entry-level roles

A quick scan of vacant roles on SEEK shows that an HR Driver’s Licence and experience is a pre-requisite. For trainee roles, an HR Licence and a standard induction are needed. Standard inductions (S11) are needed for coal operations.

Consider these approximate costs to meet the above requirements:

-S11 Induction – $650+

-HR Drivers Training $110+/hour with many trainers recommending two to 10 hours of training

-Dump Truck Training Courses – We found courses ranging from $1490 – $2500 for two -five days

Assuming you are Queensland-based and require just two hours of HR driver training (and the one-hour hire to sit an examination) the total cost to meet the minimum requirements could be $2530. That is almost the same cost as the Certificate III.

A Certificate III provides a recognised qualification, knowledge and skills in other sections of open pit mining. Check out the units required here.

The future mining workforce

The simple fact is that large mines are automating their dump trucks and reducing employee numbers. However, these actual operations represent a small number of operations globally. Mining production is predicted to grow, and while figures are not available as to how this growth translates to jobs, it is a reasonable assumption that you cannot have one without the other.

RELATED: Is automation affecting mining job prospects

For those interested, this blog from last year talks about entry-level roles in the twenty-first century and some additional information on dump truck roles.

In summary, if you are keen for a long-term career in the industry, obtaining a recognised qualification you can build a career from may be a better investment than a three- to five-day course that covers a single unit.

Here’s some more information on choosing a mining course.

After working as a travel agent for more than a decade, Lisa Mirtsopoulos made a career change and found work in the mining industry.

Since making the switch she hasn't looked back, and has gone from strength to strength after starting work as a dump truck operator.

Mirtsopoulos now works at Boddington gold mine, and she's developed a small following after launching Dump Truck Discovery, a book telling non-mining types what they need to do to find work in the industry.

Australian Mining recently spoke to Mirtsopoulos to find out more about her book and life as a dump truck driver.

What do you do on a day-to-day basis?

My role is basically to operate the truck, and move dirt from the pit to the dump areas. I have an extra role where I also train new recruits that come through.

What shift do you work to?

Currently I'm on 12.5 hours. Normally its 12 but Boddington has 12.5 so we can cover the changeover from day shift to night shift.

How long have you been at Boddington, and where did you work previously?

I've been at Boddington 14 months now. Previous to that I was at Cape Preston for Citic Pacific Mining, and then before that I was at Tom Price for Rio Tinto. My first job was at Murrin Murrin for Minara Resources.

How different were the working conditions across these sites?

The site and the working conditions for me are exactly the same, the only thing that was different was the kind of truck I was driving, and it only takes one day to adjust. The rules across each site are also very similar, maybe one or two might be a little different.

What did you do before you found work in the mining industry?

I was a travel agent for 15 years, and I spent a lot of time travelling around the world. But when I returned to Australia I found I could no longer afford to buy a house on a travel agent's wage.

Soon after I met a girl who drove dump trucks, and she inspired me. I thought 'wow, if she can do it so can I'. It took me three years to get in because I had no experience, and it was only meant to be a two year plan to get a deposit for a house. Well, I had no idea I was actually going to enjoy the job and the industry so much that you can't get me out now.

What kind of education did you gain to get the job as a dump truck operator?

I was fortunate enough that at the time there was a six week training program conducted by Richard's Mining Services here in Perth (no longer operating). So to get onto the program I had to make sure I did some initial training, then apply to be on the program which was held on a mine site three hours north of Kalgoorlie.

They actually paid me to be trained instead of me paying for a training program, and at the end of the six weeks if the mining company liked your performance then they offered you a full time role, which they did.

Why did you decide to start Dump Truck Discovery?

Over the years I developed a standard email I would send to people when they asked me questions about finding work as a dump truck operator. The idea for the book was born from attending a wealth mentoring program where we had to think of something over and above what we already do to generate extra income. I came up with the idea to just write a book with all the details people require. That way I could capture a wider number of people who are wanting to get in but just don't know what to do.

What kind of information have you included in the book?

The book provides some direction. If you've not been in the mining industry you don't know how it works. That's why it took me three years to get into mining because I didn't know how to get in. You don't know anyone in the mining industry and you just have no idea what to do. The book is written for people who don't know anything about mining or the industry.

Have you received good feedback since releasing it?

Absolutely. My first purchaser got a trainee dump truck job within three months. I've had people e-mail me and saying that they've found the book very informative and they're able to now have some direction about what to do to get into the industry.

We've seen quite a few mining companies downsize expansions and cut jobs recently. Do you think there are still opportunities for unskilled people to find work in the mining sector?

Yes I do. I keep up to date daily with job vacancies in the industry, and every day I see advertisements for dump truck operators. Companies are still looking for operators, but what they're doing is advertising for experienced applicants.

At Boddington we recently advertised for experienced operators, yet we've still put on three trainees because we were unable to fill the quota.

What are some of the hardest parts about working as a dump truck driver?

Night shift took some getting used to. Working from 6pm until 6am when your body wants to sleep took a long time to adjust to. Working public holidays and special occasions can also be difficult.

How long did it take to get used to night shift?

You have to find out a routine that works for you to be able to sleep through the day and combat fatigue. It took me three or four months to work out that drinking coffee at night did not work, because that would keep me awake during the day as well. You have to find what works for you and it's a bit of trial and error.

You will have to travel in order to make money, and fight your way through dangerous areas. It is important that your truck every time you upgrade the chance and be equipped with a more powerful weapon and new gadgets. Hard truck apocalypse rise of clans crack. Your hard truck is your only hope for survival in a hostile world. To do that you need to trade with towns and villages on the way, and perform various tasks.

Do you have any advice for workers who are trying to find a mining job but don't have any experience?

It's a very simple suggestion, yet a lot of people don't want to do it. You can get experience by working for a smaller company such as a contractor, or it can be as simple as working for your local council. I know you'll be operating machines that are much smaller than what we have on a mine site, but you are getting machine experience, and I know as a truck driver that if you've driven a fifty tonne truck its so much quicker and easier for me to train you on a 200 tonne truck.

A lot of people don't want to do that though. They think they can hop straight into a mining job.

Mirtsopoulos has plans to expand Dump Truck Discovery into a short training course. You can visit the website here or find it on Facebook.