HR & CAREERS

HUMAN RESOURCES

An Employer of Choice

From the time the mine started operations in the mid-60s, Palabora has been at the forefront of employment practices in the local mining industry. Palabora is a mining company that sees employees as its most valued assets.  Our conditions of employment are competitive in the industry. We plan to attract and develop talent, and create an environment where employees contribute to the company’s goals and have fulfilling careers.

“We aim to deliver through the identification and implementation of best HR systems to lift capability and facilitate performance in the company. This requires the development of a competency model of HR professionalism in order to deliver excellent and value-adding HR support to the business.” Phil Monare, General Manager HR, Oct 2005

Human Resources Vision Statement

HR seeks to be an active partner in the facilitation and creation of a self-motivated and progressive Palabora workforce that is focused on business objectives while achieving personal and career growth as well as self-fulfillment.

The following are the main performance areas and objectives supporting the business:

• Attraction and retention of talent
• Remuneration and Benefits
• Learning and development
• Employee Relations
• Organizational development
• Diversity management

We employ individuals that have demonstrated talent and high level performance and commitment to add value and contribute to the company’s goals.  Our objective is to provide staff with development opportunities in order that all are fully competent in their roles and can also reach their fullest potential.

We aim to continuously seek to benchmark various alternative strategies as part of our retention and management of talent and high potential employees. Some of the initiatives initiated for identified with high-potential and performing employees are mentoring and coaching, accelerated learning schemes, challenging and stretching roles and leadership development programmes.

• Registered Learning Centre
  We are proud of the fact that Palabora is a registered learning provider, accredited by the Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) which is the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) in the mining industry.  Qualifications acquired at Palabora are registered with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) as national qualifications.
  
  Palabora is also registered as a learning supplier by the following:
• Seimens as Limpopo training provider
• Independent Examinations Board as examination centre
  
• Integrated approach to learning and development
  We follow an integrated approach to education, learning and development. This we do by identifying high performing employees within the organisation, sourcing talented youth from local schools through the company’s Foundation and from the open market by means of a graduate recruitment programme. Individuals that meet criteria, demonstrate potential and ability join the company’s specialised career development programmes such as, Engineering learnerships, technicians and graduates development schemes.
  
  Also, the fact that Palabora is part of Rio Tinto offers the advantage that employees can be deployed within the bigger group and realise growth in their careers
  
• Adult Basic Education and Training
  The drive of Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) is viewed as a strategic objective and an essential life skill for all employees. Through this programme, employees will benefit by acquiring literacy and numeric skills. Significant progress has been made in this area, and Palabora aims to successfully roll out ABET programmes throughout the business.
  
• Career Progression Routes
  Concerted effort is placed in the advancement and development of current employees through structured career progression routes in all the disciplines of the business.

• Code of Good Conduct
  Our code of conduct and policies clearly spell out the company’s belief and views on issues such as human rights, corporate governance, legislative compliance, dispute resolution procedure, employee general conduct and safety. We believe that our code facilitates employees’ understanding and commitment to the right company’s values, ethos and expected culture.
  
• Organised Labour
  Palabora has two active employee trade unions namely, National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and United Association of South Africa (UASA). Palabora views these unions to represent the views of the employees and the interests of the company. As a result Palabora continually engages these stakeholders and builds capacity of the stewards as well as nurture positive working relations. The aim is to ensure that the stewards have an improved understanding and appreciation of the business. In doing this, the union representatives will be in a better informed position to engage their members; especially in view of the pivotal role that PMC plays within the Ba-Phalaborwa community. Palabora always look for the win-win solution and try to resolve problems jointly. Proof that Palabora are making progress in this regard was shown in the key role that the unions played in encouraging all of the employees to access the employment benefit of becoming members on the company’s offered medical aid schemes.

• Addressing change
  Company improvement issues are continuously addressed through a process of involving all the appropriate and affected parties. This process assists in making change to be better understood and accepted by employees. Our objective is to encourage a continuous learning culture and self development through study assistance policies.
  
• Performance management
  Employees’ performance is reviewed twice a year. Discussions between the leader and the team members provide detailed feedback on achievements, areas requiring development attention and career growth opportunities. In addition, we have reviews aimed at addressing the nurturing of future leadership talent for the organisation and the Group.

• Employment Equity
  We have a detailed Employment Equity policy that addresses the company’s demographic profiles, workplace conditions and practices. Our Employment Equity Forum meets on a monthly basis and informs the company on issues of strategic importance. The company aims to have at least 10 percent of our workforce being female employees, particularly in roles that were traditionally held by male employees. In the professional levels and senior positions, we aim to have 40% of Historically Disadvantaged South Africans (HDSA). Also included in the plan, is the employment of people with disability.

Careers

Palabora offers careers in a variety of disciplines such as:

• Engineering
• Mining
• Electrical
• Mechanical
• Metallurgy
• Finance
• Marketing
• Human Resources
• Procurement and Warehousing
• Health, Safety, Environmental
• Information Systems and Technology

Graduates:

As part of the Rio Tinto Group, Palabora is active in developing young professionals for work in the business, and elsewhere in the Group. Study grants are provided annually to young high-flyers eager to start a career in the international mining industry.
 
Palabora also provides graduate practical training programmes, which provide the young professional with challenging technical and operational work, aimed at equipping them with industry and leadership skills and abilities.

Study programmes are also available for students wishing to pursue a career as electrical, mechanical or instrumentation technicians.

Grants are generally provided for:

• Electrical engineering
• Mechanical engineering
• Chemical and metallurgical engineering.
• Mining engineering

To apply for the Graduate Recruitment Program as well as a Palabora Mining bursary, send your CV and covering letter to the following e-mail address: bursary.applications@riotinto.com .
NOTE: This address is ONLY to be used for Graduate Recruitment and Bursary Applications

More …  http://graduates.riotinto.com