Congratulations to Dakota Ellery-Swain and Joshua Fitzroy, who have officially completed our inaugural Crane Operations Pathway Program after three years of hard work, persistence and plenty of time on the hook. As the very first participants to finish the program since it launched, they’ve reached an important milestone for themselves, and for Monadelphous.
Their completion marks a significant moment for the business. Dakota and Joshua are the first to progress all the way through the pathway since its rollout in 2022, demonstrating the strength of the model and setting the benchmark for the trainees who will follow.
The Crane Operations Pathway Program was established as part of our Gender Diversity and Inclusion (GD&I) Plan, reflecting our commitment to improving opportunities for women and Indigenous people to enter trade and technical roles. Since its launch, it has become recognised as a leading-practice example of how targeted initiatives can shape culture, build capability and strengthen workforce diversity across our operations.
Dakota joined the program after working in site administration and being fascinated by cranes from early on.
“I was lucky enough that a crew gave me a chance to learn basics. From there Monos rang with a chance to learn and grow. It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” she said.
“The most valuable part was having the time and support to learn properly, not just gaining a ticket and being expected to know everything on day one.”
Dakota said that the variety of work stood out too.
“The jobs are hardly ever the same - one day you could be replacing a crusher bowl, the next you’re putting ore cars on the track, and the next you’re fixing diggers. It’s pretty cool,” she said.
Joshua joined through our Indigenous Pathway with a clear goal to build his career.
“I was inspired by wanting to grow in the industry,” he said.
He credits the crews around him for helping build his confidence and capability and is keen to continue developing his skills.
Over three years, both participants completed structured on-the-job training, site placements, and hands-on learning across operational, town and yard environments, gaining exposure to a wide range of cranes, lifts and conditions. This was supported by the formal qualification component delivered by Australian Training Management (ATM), where they achieved their nationally recognised Certificate III in Mobile Crane Operations, with ATM commending their professionalism and strong safety focus.
This achievement is also shared by the many people who backed them from day one - mentors, crews, site leaders, the Apprentice and Trainee Team, and our training partners, ATM. These programs only succeed because of the people who support them day in, day out.
When the program was first conceived, Lorna Rechichi, then General Manager - Heavy Lift, played an important role in shaping its direction and structure, ensuring it aligned with our GD&I objectives and provided meaningful, supported pathways for women and Indigenous people to build careers in trade and technical fields.
The pathway model has since been the blueprint for the development of additional initiatives, including our Rigging Pathways Program.
“We created an environment that enabled people to succeed, and this has become the catalyst for more and more of these traineeships,” Lorna said.
Congratulations again to Dakota and Joshua, and thank you to everyone who supported them along the way. A special shoutout to Kylie Brown, Luke Thompson and Sophie Hunt, whose commitment played a key role in bringing this program to life.
You’ve all helped set a new standard and opened the door wider for those who will follow.