As the Mt Arthur Coal team weigh up their options for post-closure, many are taking advantage of the free support services available through the Workforce Transition Support Policy including career coaching, study and financial advice.

One such teammate was Purple Crew Drill Operator, Sarah who grabbed this opportunity with both hands, starting with career coaching to get some guidance on her options post-closure.

“I went into career coaching thinking I’d like to be a teacher, and the sessions were really valuable because they reinforced that this would be a great fit for me,” Sarah said.

“The career coaching sessions are so insightful because they’re really personalised to you; they look at your personality, your interests and your cross transferable skills to make recommendations about what career paths would and wouldn’t be a good fit for you,” she said.

“I’ve been telling everyone to do the career coaching because they’ll be shocked at the results and how beneficial it is.”

Sarah said following the career coaching she took advantage of the free study option and enrolled in a Bachelor of Education.

“If work was going to pay for it, then it’s too good an opportunity to pass up,” Sarah said.

“So I’ll be able to teach from Kindergarten through to Year 12, but I’m most interested in teaching high school maths, and maybe eventually physics of quantum mechanics,” she said.

“I started in June last year and should finish in October 2029.”

“I’m already saving up my long service leave to do my teaching placements next year.”

Sarah is just one of almost 400 teammates to take up the support services available through the Workforce Transition Support Policy. Everyone at Mt Arthur Coal is encouraged to make use of these free opportunities to prepare for the 2030 site closure.