FIFO mining tickets are a smart move if you’re serious about getting into the industry. They boost your resume, give you more work opportunities and are sometimes even required to perform certain tasks or work in certain roles.
Luckily, getting certified is pretty simple these days with convenient online resources and affordable training programs. So if you’re looking to level up your skills, you’re in the right place!
These are the most important certifications for FIFO mining and where to get them. Let’s dive in.
What are FIFO Mining Tickets?
FIFO mining tickets are certifications that qualify you to operate machinery, perform certain duties and/or work in certain conditions while on construction or mining sites.
They’re a common requirement for many FIFO roles and important for maintaining a safe FIFO work environment and experience.
Read more: FIFO Mining Guide: How to Get Started
Why You Should Get FIFO Tickets
FIFO tickets make getting hired easier. They boost your resume and open up opportunities to jobs you would have otherwise not qualified for. Put another way, it’s a smart way to find and get better FIFO jobs.
Here are some specific benefits of investing in FIFO tickets:
- Become more specialized
- Meet regulatory compliance
- Unlock more job opportunities
- Increase your earning potential
- Show employers you’re serious
- Personal and professional growth
- Industry exposure and networking opportunities
- Be better prepared for emergency situations on-site
- Career flexibility and more advancement opportunities
- Improved safety awareness and lower risk of getting injured
- Boost your awareness about the type of work you want to be doing
10 Most Common FIFO Mining Tickets You Should Know
1. White Card
A white card is a construction induction certificate required to safely carry out work at a construction site. It’s one of the most basic FIFO tickets you can get and is required just to be able to work on-site in Australia.
So if you’re serious about working in this industry, you’ll likely need to at least get a white card.
Here’s what you’ll learn with this training:
- Risk control measures
- Emergency response procedures
- How to identify construction hazards
- Health and safety legislative requirements
- Communicating and reporting health and safety processes
2. Driver’s Licences
Besides a white card, having a basic driver’s licence is another basic certification that can improve your chances of getting hired. You may also consider getting certified for bus driving, which can open up even more FIFO job opportunities for utilities/services positions.
3. Working at Heights
This certification will teach you how to work safely at heights. You’ll learn how to access and install equipment, perform various tasks and clean your work area.
This training includes risk assessment, correctly fitting a body harness and understanding key requirements like ground clearance and other working at heights regulations and standards.
4. Gas Testing
Gas testing is used to determine the safety of a working environment. This becomes especially important when working in confined or enclosed spaces. You’ll learn how to handle gas testers (by hand and by lowering it into an area) and how to carry out tests for on-site permits.
5. Working in Confined Spaces
This training will give you everything you need to know about identifying the different types of confined spaces and how to enter and exit these areas. You’ll learn about various legislation and safety standards in place and the different worker roles and responsibilities for this type of work environment.
6. Rigging and Dogging
Rigging is the process of arranging and installing heavy equipment for lifting or moving. Dogging involves the slinging and fastening of weights in preparation of the actual lifting. With these certifications, you’ll learn how to safely move, place and secure loads as well as important slinging techniques and how to inspect the lifting gear and direct the plant operator.
7. Scaffolding
Scaffolding is a temporary structure that lets you easily work at heights and access hard-to-reach areas. Scaffolding tickets for FIFO work will give you the skills (and license) required to build, alter and dismantle scaffolding. You’ll learn how to inspect scaffolding, identify issues, prevent falls or injury and safely handle and transport materials.
8. Forklift or Telehandler Operations
Forklift operations require the proper training and license to operate legally. This ticketing course will give you the necessary skills to safely operate forklift machinery. You’ll learn how to plan and prepare for forklift tasks, perform the duties and complete the job by packing up safely.
9. Mechanical Tickets
Mine sites require regular maintenance. And mechanical tickets give you the skills necessary to assess, monitor and fix on-site technical issues. But before you invest any time or money into this type of training, it’s important to speak with your employer, as these types of roles tend to be harder to get without proper experience.
10. Advanced or Heavy Machinery Operations
There are many different types of heavy machinery and cranes, and each one can require different training and certification. So again, talk with your employer or recruiter regarding the exact requirements here.
Some examples of advanced certifications in these areas include a dump truck license, excavator operations and crane ticketing.
Choosing the Right Ticket: Helpful Tips
Know Your FIFO Role & Goals
As you know, different FIFO roles require different levels of experience and certifications. For example, if you land a job in utilities (doing something like cooking or cleaning), you won’t need any advanced training. But if you’re hoping to work in construction, you’ll need more qualifications.
So always consider your goals and the types of FIFO jobs you’re applying for or hoping to get promoted to eventually. Every job will have different requirements.
Leverage Existing Experience
Do you already have experience in the industry? If so, that can be your greatest asset – it also makes training easier and more relevant.
Choosing FIFO tickets that complement your existing knowledge or skills will compound your abilities and make you a more desirable candidate.
After all, a worker who’s both certified in working at heights but also has direct experience in it will be more desirable than someone who only checks off one of those boxes.
And if you don’t have any experience at all, don’t worry. It’s not always required (depending on the job you’re going after). But you may consider postponing your FIFO goals to first get industry experience. This can lead to more confidence and better job opportunities.
Research and Ask
When in doubt, ask. One of the simplest (and best) ways to choose the right FIFO ticket is to simply understand your industry by researching and asking the right questions to the right people. For example:
- Ask employers directly
- Read job and training reviews
- Reach out to fellow FIFO workers or those in the industry
- Read FIFO job descriptions to fully understand the requirements
A little bit of research goes a long way. So don’t just choose a ticket at random. Instead, have a clear purpose to your decision. After all, you don’t know what you don’t know – so always ask.
Check out Cal’s Youtube page where he discusses FIFO mining tickets.
Speak With a Recruiter
A recruiter will make the whole process of finding and starting a FIFO career seamless and stress-free. And when it comes to choosing the right tickets, they can help guide you here too.
I recommend checking out W1NW1N. They’re a full-service recruiter specializing in the FIFO industry. Recruiters have direct relationships with some of the biggest FIFO employers and know exactly what they’re looking for and how to best prepare you.
So if you’re serious about FIFO work, this is a smart way to start your journey. You can learn more here.
Getting FIFO Tickets: Where Do You Start?
Okay, now that you know about the best FIFO tickets and how to choose them, you’re probably wondering where to get started.
One great resource is the Breight Group. They’re a leader in construction and resources training in Australia, and offer comprehensive courses for the most valuable FIFO tickets.
And another place to get started (or find more help) with your FIFO tickets is by working with a FIFO recruiter. Again, I recommend W1NW1N. They’re a professional mining recruiter who will work on your behalf and guide you to finding the absolute best jobs and training tips.
Now all that’s left is to take action by getting certified and landing your ideal FIFO job. So, which FIFO tickets will you start with?
