Autonomous solutions provider RCT is working with its clients Gold Fields and Northern Star Resources to provide valuable hands-on training opportunities to apprentices in Western Australia’s Goldfields.

Over its 45-year history RCT has employed many apprentices and other skilled workers to help provide fleet servicing, repair works, maintenance and installation services of remote-control systems and electrical items and equipment for mining companies around the world.

This month RCT’s Kalgoorlie branch is hosting Gold Fields apprentice Auto Electrician Michael Schoeppner who will carry out repair and maintenance work on remotely operated mining equipment under the guidance of RCT’s experienced workshop staff.

Gold Fields Executive Vice President Australasia, Stuart Mathews said “Gold Fields is committed to team development, and we are delighted our apprentices have the opportunity to work with our business partners to receive valuable training, mentoring and experience.”

Following his training experience Michael will be able to apply his new skills to benefit Gold Fields’ projects in the region, where there is a continued emphasis on the use of remote technologies to improve safety and productivity in its mines.

RCT also has a similar arrangement with Northern Star Resources which saw apprentice Ben Ashby mentored by the company’s bench repair technicians at the Kalgoorlie branch earlier this month.

Ben’s experience centred on unit repairs and diagnosis with particular focus on repairing remote interfaces and elements of RCT’s ControlMaster® Teleremote and Guidance products.

Northern Star Resources Maintenance Manager Aaron Armstrong said the company is delighted that their apprentices have the opportunity to develop their skills with an experienced supplier.

“RCT has a wealth of in-house skills related to mobile plant equipment and electrical systems in the mining sector and we are happy they will share their knowledge with our tradespeople,” he said.

RCT Kalgoorlie Branch Manager Rick Radcliffe said both Michael and Ben were extremely polite and professional individuals who took initiative and picked up instructions very quickly.

“These training opportunities enable staff from both companies to familiarise themselves with each other’s procedures and technical knowledge providing a strong base for future working relationships,” he said.

“We would be very happy to accommodate apprentices from Northern Star Resources and Gold Fields here at the Kalgoorlie office for future hands-on training experiences.”