Aboriginal Training and Liaison (ATAL) program
The popular and highly successful Aboriginal Training and Liaison (ATAL) program is back in 2025.
The ATAL Program is a work ready training program for Traditional Owners and Pilbara Aboriginal People which supports participants to develop skills and access employment opportunities.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The program aims to equip participants with skills for ongoing employment in diverse job sectors and industries, tailoring its approach to meet each individual's unique needs and aspirations.
ATAL is an 8-week work readiness training program, design to support Traditional Owners residing in the Pilbara (coast and inland) or in Perth over 18 years of age. At the competition of the work ready program, participants can transition to ATAL-nominated roles and receive continued support during their employment.
This unique program is a collaboration between Rio Tinto and Traditional Owners for employment initiatives, featuring a comprehensive work-ready program connecting participants to both Rio Tinto and non-Rio Tinto job opportunities. The dedicated team facilitates candidate coordination, linking them to various employment avenues, ensuring a seamless pipeline of skilled individuals to roles within or outside of Rio Tinto. This new iteration of ATAL has been co-designed in collaboration with the Traditional Owner groups we work with in the Pilbara and are members of the Regional Implementation Committee.
Expressions of interest for the 2025/2026 cohorts are now open!
Please express your interest here: ATAL Expression of Interest
More information on cohort dates and locations for 2025 & 2026 are coming soon.
Information Sessions
Want to learn more about ATAL and other opportunities within Rio Tinto? Join us at one of our upcoming information sessions.
Please register your attendance and join us at one of our Information Sessions for a career conversation about ATAL and our other employment pathways. Team members from ATAL, Indigenous Talent and Indigenous Career Readiness, Traineeships and Apprenticeships will be available to speak to.
Information session registration: Rio Tinto - Get Career Ready Information Sessions
Thursday 3 July – Holiday Inn, 778 Hay St Perth – 10am – 1pm
Wednesday 23 July – EPIC, 22 Balmoral Rd, Karratha – 10am - 1pm
Thursday 24 July – Ngurin Cultural Centre, Roebourne – 10am – 1pm
For more information about ATAL, please email us at ATAL@riotinto.com
Meet Asharnti
Asharnti is a Ngarluma Traditional Owner who grew up in Karratha. She joined the program to build her confidence and her goal is to gain her drivers licence and full-time employment with Rio Tinto, on Country. She aspires to become a leader and a role model.
When asked how she would describe the program in one sentence, she said “it’s just amazing, a real eye opener and they have shown us every little bit around mining”. Asharnti says she “would recommend to as many people as she could, it’s just amazing, it’s just really good”. Asharnti has been offered an Engineering and Fabrication Apprenticeship with Rio Tinto and will commence in February 2024.
“ATAL was a great opportunity for us and we've enjoyed working for Rio Tinto for more than 20 years since we joined the program - we're glad to hear it's coming back so other people will benefit."
Supervisor Utilities Quentin Stevens and Fitter Utilities Kevin Guiness work at Cape Lambert.
A Day in the Life of …. Kalten Guinness
Kalten began his Rio journey with the Aboriginal Training and Liaison (ATAL) program in 2023 and, since graduating, is moving full steam ahead towards his goal of becoming train driver.
Discover what a day in the life of an ATAL graduate looks like.
