Mining giant Glencore is on the hunt for about 40 apprentices to kickstart their careers in our state's North-West and Resources Minister Scott Stewart is encouraging Queenslanders to put their hands up.
The successful applicants will start work in January next year at Glencore's mineral operations in North-West Queensland, living locally in Mount Isa and Cloncurry.
Mr Stewart said the resources sector offers well-paid, secure jobs and an exciting future in the driver's seat of the Palaszczuk Government's COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.
"As a former high school principal, I am always thrilled to meet former students who are building a career in the resources sector," he said.
"Queenslanders who gain these opportunities will be part of a world-leading resources sector that is central to our ongoing economic recovery.
"Apprenticeships offer an opportunity to gain valuable experience in fields that are in demand nationally – like refrigeration and electrical trades."
The new recruits will join Glencore's existing cohort of 266 apprentices and 115 graduates currently building their resource sector careers with Glencore.
Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said apprenticeships like these could change lives.
"We know that if you get the right people the right training, they're much more likely to go onto have a successful and fulfilling career," Minister Farmer said.
"That's why the Palaszczuk Government is investing more than $1 billion in training and skills this year alone.
"I commend Glencore for their commitment to creating excellent training opportunities in North-West Queensland, and for working with TAFE to ensure both the onsite and offsite training is to a very high standard.
"And we know Glencore apprentices do well – just last week, one of their employees Bonnie Anderson was named the regional Apprentice of the Year in the Queensland Training Awards!"
Glencore's Regional Human Resource Lead Jodie Hope said 67 first-year apprentices and 51 graduates started their careers across Glencore sites this year, many of them from regional communities where the company operates.
"Glencore employs 8,590 people across the state at our operations generating $8 billion in total economic value," Ms Hope said.
"We're proud that we have been able to continue hiring and providing exciting and well-paid jobs to support Queensland's economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Many of our Australian leaders began their careers as apprentices or graduates and have progressed their careers to senior management in our organisation."
Glencore's Queensland Metals apprentice program offers opportunities in the electrical, auto electrical, diesel fitting, fitter welder, radio technician, boilermaker, mechanic, fitter turner and refrigeration trades.
Apprentices rotate across Glencore's operations state-wide and 96 per cent of the company's apprentices complete their training, compared to the general industry rate of 56 per cent.
Mr Stewart said careers in the resources sector offer mobility across sites as well as long-term security, because the world will need Australia's resources for decades to come.
"That's particularly the case in the North-West Minerals Province as the Palaszczuk Government continues to work with industry in identifying and developing new economy minerals vital for 21st century technology like batteries and renewable energy," he said.
In the year to May 2021 more than 40,000 people started apprenticeships and traineeships in Queensland, up 47.7 per cent on the previous year.
Applications for the Glencore apprenticeships are open until August 8.
