Advice from a miner

I am in the mining industry (coal QLD) & shudder when I read the extent some go to in order to get 'a mine job'. Paying out hard earned $'s is NOT going to help anyone but those running the various courses....just going to make them richer. From my experience a 'cleanskin' has a far greater chance of becoming a mine truckdriver (so many other positions available other than driving trucks on site) then someone who has driven a truck along the highway for years. Generic mine induction (eg S11) helps, but most companies pay for this once you have the job. First aid certificates, S123's, high risk licences, working at heights tickets, confined space tickets etc if you have them are great but once again most companies will pay for these once employed. Perseverance and patience is the key. The lure of big $'s and even time rosters is huge, but camp/village living is not for the feint hearted. I love it, work my butt off, have met some fabulous people and have had lots of opportunities opened to me through the mining industry that those in the 'real world' woudn't. My advice is to be patient, spend no money and don't become disheartened when knocked back for a position. Keep trying!!