Rugby league great Scott Prince is looking forward to participating in Glencore’s NSW Indigenous Employment Pathways Program (IEPP) in 2023.
The gifted half, who collected the Clive Churchill Medal in the Wests Tigers’ premiership victory in 2005, welcomed 16 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at the mining giant’s recent orientation day in the Upper Hunter.
As the IEPP ambassador, the Australian and Queensland State of Origin representative will mentor the participants through the 26-week job-readiness initiative based in Singleton.
For Prince, he’s not afraid of leading by example.
In a stellar career, the 43-year-old played 300 NRL games, including 53 for the North Queensland Cowboys (1998-2000), 28 for the Brisbane Broncos (2001-03), 73 for the Tigers (2004-06) and 124 for the Gold Coast Titans (2007-12) before returning to the Broncos in 2013, where he made another 22 appearances.
“It really is 26 weeks of gaining life-changing skills that can be used not just in the mining industry but in all areas of life,” he said of the program.
“My role is to guide and mentor this group to set goals and stay on track to achieve them.”
The IEPP provides training, work experience and employment opportunities for Indigenous residents with connections to Glencore’s mining operations in Singleton and Muswellbrook.
The company oversees the initiative with JobTrail and WorkPac.
“Mining was a big part of my family,” Prince said.
“My father was a miner.
“It gave me an understanding of the lifestyle, first and foremost, but more importantly how a miner can provide for the community and their own family.
“I take my hat off to Glencore, JobTrail and WorkPac for the amazing work they’re doing to create opportunities for our mob.”
Glencore works with Indigenous groups across its Hunter operations on a range of matters, including cultural heritage, employment and community partnerships.
“The program opens doors for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people actively seeking work,” Indigenous programs coordinator Carrie Bendeich said.
“As has been the case in our Queensland operations, the IEPP in the Upper Hunter was guided by feedback from local Aboriginal groups and aims to address a need within these communities.”
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