Coldwell Drilling (Coldwell) is a well-respected, family-owned safe drilling company based in Rockhampton, Queensland. It operates across all sectors, focusing on continual improvement to safely deliver and exceed customer expectations.
Coldwell is committed to their people, safety, training, maintenance, systems and processes, and is investing in state-of-the-art technologically advanced autonomous drills.
In this month’s member profile, HR Administrator Renee Coldwell, and Operations and Training Manager Paul Carroll, share why Coldwell became an AUSMASA member, and some of the secrets of its success.
Tell us about your organisation. How do you support skills in mining?
Renee: ‘Coldwell Drilling is a family-owned drilling company with nearly 50 years’ experience, operating across Australia and the Asia Pacific in sectors such as mining, civil works, quarrying, dam construction, exploration, and ground stabilisation.
‘Coldwell is committed to developing a skilled, capable, and future-ready workforce. We support skills in the mining and automotive industry through a practical, hands-on experience, mentoring and on the job learning, providing our people with the necessary technical capabilities together with strong safety, communication, and problem-solving skills. Coldwell recognises that skilled employees are critical to the ongoing success of Australia’s mining and resources industries. By investing in our workforce, we help create pathways for development and progression within the mining and resource industries.’
Why did you become an AUSMASA member?
Renee: ‘Coldwell became an AUSMASA member because we wanted to actively contribute to the National discussion about skills, training and workforce development, specifically as it relates to the drilling industry.
‘Being an AUSMASA member gives Coldwell the opportunity to ‘give a voice’ to the drilling industry, share practical experiences, identify emerging workforce needs, challenges, and priorities, and work together towards practical solutions at a national level. Having a seat at the table allows input into the development of training products and allows them to be shaped in line with trends and technological advancements in the industry.’
How do you think AUSMASA membership has enabled you to influence national skills and workforce development?
Paul: ‘AUSMASA membership has provided Coldwell Drilling the opportunity to have a stronger voice in discussions regarding Australia’s future skills and workforce needs. It enables us to share direct industry experience and provide practical input into the challenges employers face when recruiting, training, and retaining skilled employees.
‘Our membership has enabled us to contribute to identify skills gaps and shortage, improve training pathways and better align training with the actual reality of the workplace.
‘We view our membership as an avenue to advocate for our own workforce as well as contribute to wider industry outcomes. By ensuring drilling and resource sector qualifications and training are nationally recognised, it allows for consistency and portability from one region to another. This helps ensure Australia’s skills system remains responsive to the needs of mining, resources and related industries now and into the future.’