GFG Foundation students get ‘job-ready’ for Whyalla careers

Participants introduced to steelworks and mining

The GFG Foundation racked up another first this month in Australia with its inaugural Get Job Ready sessions in Whyalla.

More than 30 past and present Foundation students were hosted by the LIBERTY Primary Steel Whyalla steelworks and SIMEC Mining Iron Ore operation for a day of site tours, targeted career information and job-ready instructions.

The students were welcomed to the Get Job Ready day by Tony Swiericzuk Managing Director Liberty Primary Steel), Jacqui Higgins (Executive General Manager SIMEC Iron Ore Operations), Georgina Crumpton (General Manager of GFG Alliance and GFG Foundation) Jonny Samengo (Chief Operating Officer GFG Foundation) and Carol Rance (CSIRO Educational Specialist).

“Investing in Future Generations is a primary focus for the GFG Foundation with the aim of this day to help young people of Whyalla to be job ready after school,” Georgina said.

“We were able to showcase the career opportunities that exist within the GFG Alliance in Whyalla and give the students an insight into a normal day at work for the various professions that are across our business and guide them on the process and next steps to enable them to apply for these roles.

“They were also given an introduction to CN30, Transformation plans, GREENSTEEL Academy and some tips and tricks to use when applying for roles as well as building their social media and LinkedIn profiles.”

The students, and the parents that came along, really got something out of it and we had a great response from everyone that attended“

JONNY SAMENGO – Chief Operating Officer GFG Foundation

In the lead-up to the day, students were asked to nominate an area of the steelworks or mining operation they were interested in. Each participant was then paired with one of our in-house professionals to spend some time observing and experiencing a more intimate look into the work that sits behind that profession within the business.

It was a massive logistical exercise with inductions and kitting the students up with PPE but Jonny Samengo said it was all worth it to create a ‘super positive exercise’ and potentially life-changing opportunity for the students.

“It was fantastic to see some of these students – some who went through the Foundation program in 2019 – coming back and re-engaging with the Foundation to gain this insight into careers with our businesses and how to prepare themselves,” Jonny said.

“This was the first Get Job Ready day in Australia and they will be rolled out to other sites where the Foundation has programs in place.

“The students, and the parents that came along, really got something out of it and we had a great response from everyone that attended.”

After the welcome and site tours, the students were treated to a barbecue before going into an afternoon of instructions on CV writing and interview skills led by Belynda Nelson and Dee Channon from GFG’s talent acquisitions partner Korn Ferry. This included simulated interviews with senior staff like Tony and Jacqui.

“We were able to teach the students what ‘good’ looks like in an interview along with some basic behaviours like eye contact, firm handshakes and presenting themselves positively,” Belynda said.

“By the end these students were showing far more confidence, great body language and were able to identify what ‘good’ really looks like … they were really engaged in the whole process.

Investing in Future Generations is a primary focus for the GFG Foundation with the aim of this day to help young people of Whyalla to be job ready after school“

GEORGINA CRUMPTON – General Manager of GFG Alliance and GFG Foundation

“The students learned that it isn’t just heavy industry trades and operator roles, there are a vast amount of opportunities at the steelworks and mining operations from administration to occupational nurse roles, drone pilot opportunities, paramedic positions and much more.

“These are fantastic opportunities on their doorstep that will allow them to stay in Whyalla and develop outstanding careers.”

Jonny thanked Korn Ferry for its input into the day along with the many other partners that make the Foundation tick in Whyalla.

“This is our fifth year of operating in Whyalla and so much has come out of this that has helped us to learn and expand into many other markets that GFG has a significant presence in,” Jonny said.

“As always, a big thank you to our partners, UniSA Whyalla Campus, CSIRO Prince’s Trust Australia, Korn Ferry and the LPS and SIMEC businesses that hosted the day … we simply couldn’t do it without them.”

CAREER CATEGORIES

Participants were asked to select one of the career categories that interest them most from this list:

• People, Health and Safety, Hygiene, Human Resources and Administration
• Port, Shipping, Logistics, Scheduling and Planning
• Sales and Marketing
• Engineering
• Trade
• Large Equipment Operation
• Information Technology
• Communication, Community, Diversity and Journalism
• Environmental science

ABOUT THE FOUNDATION

The GFG Foundation focuses on programs to support people, particularly young people, to reach their potential and strengthen industries and local communities by boosting skills and employment prospects. Along the way, our people are involved through mentoring programmes and transfer their skills, knowledge and experience to the next generation.

READ MORE ABOUT THE FOUNDATION

GFG Foundation Supporting Whyalla youth

Alumni inspire next Foundation Students

SEE MORE PICTURES FROM THE DAY