Manager Operational and Trades Training Programs

An inclusive environment for all
We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where employees feel comfortable being themselves. We also want everyone to feel that their voices matter, that all cultures are respected, and that perspectives, as diverse as they are, are not only welcome, but essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity, regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation or any other distinguishing aspect.

At Rio Tinto, we welcome and encourage applications from women, older workers, persons with disabilities and representatives from diverse backgrounds.

Everyone is different, and we believe that these differences are our strength. The diversity of skills, life experiences, and perspectives within our team enhances the way we work and our ability to succeed together.

About the role:

The T&CD Manager, Operational and Trades Training Programs, is a pivotal senior leadership role charged with designing, deploying, and continually enhancing training initiatives that support SimFer’s operations and maintenance teams. This position is instrumental in ensuring the workforce is equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in a dynamic environment.

Providing strategic vision and leadership, the Manager guides the development and execution of effective training for both employees and contractors. The goal is to ensure all personnel can perform their operational and maintenance responsibilities safely and competently. Our commitment is to create and deliver world-class, innovative training programs tailored to the distinct learning needs of Guinean employees and contractors while meeting the business’s defined learning outcomes.

As the central authority for SimFer’s Operational and Trades Training Teams, the Manager employs robust planning, prioritization, and quality assurance practices. This includes assessing talent pipelines, establishing skills profiles, and identifying skills gaps to design targeted training solutions that address the specific needs of each audience.

The Manager provides strategic leadership and clear direction to the SimFer Trades Training Team, advancing apprentice and trades training programs. This role also oversees the Operations Training Team, ensuring excellence in heavy mobile and fixed plant equipment operator training. By actively supporting Operational Readiness, the Manager adapts training to evolving requirements during the transition from construction to operations. Furthermore, the role cultivates and strengthens partnerships with government, industry, and contractors to drive collaboration, uphold high technical standards, and expand programs that benefit local communities, thereby supporting organizational diversity objectives.

Success in this role demands strong leadership and stakeholder engagement, translating organizational strategies and workforce plans into structured, actionable training programs underpinned by clear governance, defined performance metrics, and effective risk management. A deep understanding of adult learning principles, industry training standards, mining best practices, and cultural intelligence is essential.

With a strong focus on governance, risk management, and sustainable capability development, the Manager fosters a culture rooted in accountability, quality, and continuous improvement. Ultimately, this role is critical to building organizational capability, ensuring that training investments yield measurable results, and empowering the workforce to operate safely, effectively, and consistently within a complex and ever-changing operational landscape.

Key Responsibilities.

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of robust, fit-for-purpose governance frameworks, standards, and controls that ensure consistency, superior quality, effective risk management, and full regulatory compliance across all training programs, standards, and processes.

• Embed comprehensive risk management strategies to proactively identify, evaluate, and mitigate risks associated with training delivery, compliance, and workforce capability—ensuring the highest levels of operational excellence are maintained.

• Collaborate with SimFer leadership to conduct thorough assessments of enterprise-wide training needs, evaluate talent pipelines, and design targeted training programs that effectively bridge identified capability gaps.

• Build strong internal partnerships to identify, source, and adapt high-quality training materials and curricula from within Rio Tinto, ensuring they are customized to meet the unique requirements of the Simandou context.

• Apply relevant adult learning methodologies and instructional design principles to create training programs that address the specific learning needs of Guinean employees and contractors.

• Work closely with SimFer contractors to help develop their training capabilities and ensure alignment with Rio Tinto’s rigorous safety and training standards.

• Lead and manage specialized training projects, ensuring the establishment of fit-for-purpose training facilities and resources that drive program success.

• Conduct quality in-field leadership activities to establish and verify safe working and training conditions for trainers and training participants 

• Develop annual and 5year look ahead project budgets, monitor spending, and provide accurate financial forecasting.

• Prepare training reports and progress updates in relation to key training performance indicators.

Qualifications & Skills

• Tertiary qualifications in Adult and Vocational Education/Training and/or Industry relevant HSE/HR/Technical Tertiary Qualifications

• 5+years Mining, 3+yrs Managing Mining Training Teams

• Proficiency in LMS and instructional design softwares.

What we offer

Get recognition for your contributions, your ability to think, your hard work, and the satisfaction of knowing that you have helped the world move forward.

• Work environment where safety is always the top priority
• Competitive base salary based on your skills and experience
• Annual cash incentives for eligible employees
• Career development opportunities and training assistance to achieve your aspirations • Access to family-friendly health programs, top-notch retirement and savings plans
• Wellness benefits
• Rio Tinto's generous employee stock ownership plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• One-on-one wellness support (personal and professional matters) for you and your family
• Comprehensive leave policy covering all important life moments (vacation/annual, paid parental leave, etc.)  
   

About the Simandou Project
The Simandou Iron Ore Project is located in the Republic of Guinea, West Africa. It is Africa’s largest infrastructure and mining project and represents one of the largest known reserves of high-grade iron ore in the world.

Rio Tinto holds rights to Simandou Blocks 3 and 4 through SimFer, a joint venture between the Government of the Republic of Guinea, Rio Tinto and Chalco Iron Ore Holdings (CIOH). Construction of the mine, together with the associated rail and port infrastructure, is well underway with first production from the SimFer mine expected in 2025.

About Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto is a global leader in the mining and materials companies. We are established in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminum, critical minerals, and other materials needed for the global energy transition and the prosperity of people, communities, and nations. We have been in business for 150 years, drawing on knowledge accumulated over generations and on different continents. Our mission – to find better ways to provide the materials the world needs – guides us in our quest for innovation and continuous improvement, with the goal of making products that are low in emissions and meet the right environmental, social and governance standards. But because we can't do it alone, we focus on creating partnerships that allow us to solve problems, create mutually beneficial situations and seize opportunities.

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