Following BlueScope Steel’s restructure announcement which will slash jobs, BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal has launched an initiative to support those affected by the move.
The miner will create an online job centre for applications for the 1400 people who lost jobs in the restructure.
BlueScope is closing its number six blast furnace at Port Kembla and its Western Port hot strip mill in Melbourne.
BHP Billiton’s president Illawarra Coal, Colin Bloomfield, said the company has employed a number of people without direct experience in the mining industry, and is aiming to employ up to 50 people in a range of positions across its operations.
“The company will also take applications from anyone willing to work in its Queensland coal operations where more than 750 job vacancies currently exist, or in our Iron Ore operations in Western Australia where 600 vacancies exist.
Bloomfield went on to say that BHP recognises “the impact the BlueScope decision will have on the Illawarra community, and as a member of that community and substantial employer in the region, we want to do what we can to support the BlueScope employees and others seeking employment in our industry”.