Professional development and training

Opportunity to grow skills and competencies through ongoing training and development.

Employees participate in a performance management process. This annual cycle includes the establishment of performance expectations, discussion of development needs as well as regular review and feedback on performance with a direct link to salary review.

Compliance training for employees is compulsory. The training consists of six core units, as well as others that are job specific.  The core units include:

• careful communication

• electronic communication protocol

• preventing workplace harassment

• The way we work, our statement of business practice

• Rio Tinto occupational health standards

• Rio Tinto safety standards.

Ninety percent of employees completed compliance training during 2009.

Employees have the opportunity to further develop their skills and competencies through ongoing training and development. Programmes include the business leadership programme (BLP), operational leadership programme (OLP) and the front line leadership programme (FLP).

Thirty-nine employees participated in the front line leadership programme during 2009. There were no BLP or OLP programmes run during 2009.

A common training platform across our operations provide opportunities for employee skill development. Each site has systems and processes to deliver Rio Tinto Coal Australia training qualifications and courses, as well as training for role-based competencies.

Our cross-cultural awareness programme for employees and contractors provides a greater understanding of our Aboriginal engagement approach, roles and responsibilities, a greater appreciation for Aboriginal culture and history and provides leaders in the business with skills to assist in working with Aboriginal people.