First Nations People and Pathways

We are proud to be one of Australia’s largest employers of First Nations people. At Fortescue we are committed to growing and developing our First Nations employees. Directly employing over 1200 First Nations people, representing 11 per cent of our Australian workforce. 

Employment for First Nations People

Increasing First Nations employment rates in our Australian workforce remains a key priority for us. Our First Nations employment rate continued to increase, with First Nations people holding 15 per cent of total positions, 8 per cent of leadership positions within our Pilbara operations.

For further queries please contact the First Nations Employment team at Aboriginalemployment@fmgl.com.au

Development opportunities for First Nations people

Our Vocational Training and Employment Centre (VTEC) has provided real employment & providing sustainable career pathways for Fortescue`s Traditional Custodian partners & First Nations persons for the past 16 years.

First Nations leaders are critical to enabling a culture that supports and allows First Nations people to thrive. We provide a range of professional development opportunities for First Nations employees with leadership aspirations to realise their goals. A key component of this is our Leadership and Excellence in First Nations People (LEAP) program.

Our First Nations training and employment programs are complemented by initiatives designed to overcome the barriers faced by First Nations people in securing and maintaining work. We employ a full time health coordinator and implement an First Nations Health Program that aims to improve the health of our First Nations workforce. Key responsibilities of the health coordinator are to:

• Support candidates to address health barriers
• Conduct health screening
• Implement VTEC’s fitness program
• Support trainees with health initiatives and fitness for work
• Develop and deliver health and fitness training

If you are interested in out VTEC program please reach out to out VTEC teams:

Port Hedland:vtechedland@fmgl.com.au

Karratha:vteckarratha@fmgl.com.au

We strive to build a workplace that understands, supports and champions First Nations people through the following:

• Compulsory cross-cultural awareness training for all employees
• Ensuring leaders are provided with the skills and knowledge to support and lead First Nations employees
• Recognising and rewarding employees who support First Nations employment and development
• Celebrating significant First Nations cultural events throughout the year, including National Aborigines and Islanders Day
       Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week.

Supporting our First Nations employees and their families

We are the only Pilbara-based mining company with flights between all mine sites and the major communities of Karratha, Port Hedland, Broome, Kununurra and Fitzroy Crossing.

This allows First Nations people to remain on Country with their families while still accessing employment opportunities.