Fortescue Metals : CEO for a Day inspires with passion and commitment

Jan 30, 2020

Passion for his job and a commitment to improving the outcomes of Aboriginal people through employment has earned Jeromy Harvey the opportunity to join Fortescue Metals Group's (Fortescue) Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Gaines for the release of the Company's December 2019 quarterly production report.

Now in its fifth year, Fortescue's CEO for a Day program provides aspiring Aboriginal leaders the opportunity to join the Company's Core Leadership Team to experience how the business operates at the highest levels.

A Kija man from Kununurra, Jeromy began his journey with Fortescue in 2018 with the Vocational Training and Education Centre (VTEC) team in Port Hedland and Karratha before being seconded as Aboriginal Development Manager. He is a former teacher who also worked at the University of Western Australia assisting Indigenous students gain entry into tertiary education before joining the mining sector to lead Indigenous employment initiatives.

'It is an honour to be selected as CEO for a Day as I believe it is a marvellous initiative that takes Fortescue's Aboriginal development programs to the next level, by encouraging Aboriginal leadership within the business,' Jeromy said.

'Joining the VTEC team has been a rewarding experience, allowing me to not only assist Aboriginal people secure employment with the business but to also be a part of the personal journeys of these men and women.'

Ms Gaines said, 'At Fortescue, we believe Aboriginal leaders are critical to ensuring a culture that truly supports Aboriginal people and we are delighted to be providing programs that support ambitious team members in their leadership aspirations.

'Jeromy's passion and commitment to improving outcomes for Aboriginal people through the power of training and employment is admirable and is also at the core of Fortescue's approach to empowering generational change through economic opportunities.'

Jeromy credits Fortescue's culture of family and empowerment with enabling the business to achieve positive outcomes for Aboriginal team members.

'I like the 'can do' attitude at Fortescue and the encouragement to empower yourself to make decisions. It is the value of family and looking out for our mates that underpins the success of VTEC and Fortescue's Aboriginal development programs,' he said.