Industry Advice: The Importance of Cultural Fit for Mine Site Employees

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You’ve received your training, obtained your qualifications and got some work experience under your belt. You may have even managed to get some site experience. What else do you need to consider when you look for a job on the mines? If you’re interested in a FIFO job, site culture should be at the top of your list

Jobseekers often focus on company facts when they do their research. Ruby Jeer, Senior Advisor in Talent Acquisition for Rio Tinto - Australia/New Zealand advises jobseekers to think about what the culture of a company is like. After a recent trip to Rio’s new camp at Marandoo, she came away with an appreciation for the importance of finding a person who not only had the right skills, but also valued the camp culture.

Mining ‘home away from home’

The Marandoo site is a 2:1 roster, two weeks on and one week off. That means 2/3 of your time is going to be spent with people you work with. Your job is also a “home away from home”.

Ruby explains her observations during a two-day visit to the camp currently undergoing construction.

“Everyone had a story to tell or something that made them different. Whether it was the guy who was ecstatic to not have to work a seven week roster or the female production operator who drove a truck the size of a house without showing an inch of discomfort, I was moved by them all. But the one thing they all had in common was the reason as to why they enjoyed working at Marandoo - the people.”

Happy team is a winning team

Having a happy team is a win-win situation as evidenced by the low staff turn-over at Marandoo. The recruitment team at Rio Tinto is going to make sure that becomes a trend.

“As the mine expands, the site will see the workforce grow from 275 employees to approximately 600 by the end of 2014,” Ruby continues.

“There are a range of jobs available for anyone looking for a great place to work, friendly culture, a great leadership team and personal development.”

“But don’t take my word for it. Watch it for yourself.”

Mining jobs at Rio Tinto

There are many vacancies available within the trades and operator space for Marandoo including:

• Electricians
• Fixed Plant Operators
• Mobile Equipment Operators
• Mechanical Fitter – Fixed Plant
• Heavy Duty Fitter – Mobile Equipment

Mining Oil and Gas Jobs has a special mini-site for Rio Tinto jobs. Make sure to check it out to find out about current opportunities.

More information about the mining industry:

• Attend the Australian Uranium and Rare Earths Mining Conference held in Fremantle, Western Australia on 18-19 July 2012.

• Don’t forget to subscribe to our blog. We’re publishing new information every day about employment in the Australian resource industry.

• If you’re looking for a job in mining, energy or oil and gas, make sure you visit our industry jobs board where we only advertise real jobs by real employers.