Kaiawa Welsh, Kayla Yamashita and Miriama Welsh are full of praise for Rio Tinto’s Indigenous Scholarship and Cadetship programs.
AMRUN site visits, field work and medical assessments are all part of a day’s work for three university students who are currently living and working in Weipa as part of the Rio Tinto Indigenous Scholarship and Cadetship programs.
Proud Gamilaroi and Murrawari sisters Kaiawa and Miriama Welsh along with Kayla Yamashita, who has ancestry across Badu Island and Thanawithi and Peppan clans, are currently working throughout the mine site for three months in areas that complement their university studies.
That includes environmental management, emergency services and hydrocarbon project work.
Kaiawa is undertaking a double degree in Law and Environmental Science and is hoping to work in the mining industry as an Environmental Lawyer.
“My leaders asked what I wanted to do during this cadetship and then gave me projects to work on that I’m interested in,” she said.
“I love the versatility and the team I get to work with.”
Miriama, who is studying Paramedic Science at Central Queensland University is working with the Rio Tinto Emergency Services team.
She said she was enjoying the opportunity.
“I’m learning practical skills and getting hands-on experience. I’ve learnt so much in the past eight weeks,” she said.
Kayla is studying Environmental Practice at James Cook University and said she was enjoying working with team members around the WCCCA meeting outcomes.
“I’m aiming for a graduate position in Rio Tinto when I finish studying,” she said.
Rio Tinto has once again opened their Indigenous Scholarship and Cadetship programs.
The 2023 programs provide opportunities for Indigenous students who aspire to work at Rio Tinto and are studying at university in disciplines that are transferrable to the mining and metals industry such as Engineering, Science, Technology and Humanities.
It is a gateway for Indigenous university students all around Australia into a career with Rio Tinto and the positive impact has been seen locally in Cape York.
This year’s program applications close on February 28.
