The extractive industry has been faced with a situation
where there has been no systematic and formalised training and education
structure available. Previous structures which were available, e.g. the
quarrying diploma and the mining papers as a part of an engineering degree, have
suffered the same fate as the Dodo. They are now extinct.

In providing for a training
strategy, the past strategies need to be examined and reasons behind their
demise examined. This paper examines the reasons for past failures in education
and training in the extractives industry, the factors that need to be taken into
account in creating an education and training culture, the strategies required,
the Government regulations and trans-Tasman agreements, and the quality
management which must surround the entire training programme.