OREANDA-NEWS. March 10, 2015. Fifteen new apprentices have picked up their tools and launched their careers in the mining industry with Rio Tinto’s Weipa bauxite operation in Far North Queensland.

The recruits will develop skills in fields such as diesel fitting, fitting and turning, electrical and boiler making over the next three to four years, to gain a nationally recognised trade certificate.

Four of the apprentices are local Aboriginal people including the recipient of this year’s Ely Apprenticeship, Yupungathi Traditional Owner PJ Ahmat.

The Ely Apprenticeship is awarded each year to a local Aboriginal person who has a connection to one of the six Traditional Owner groups represented in Weipa’s Ely Bauxite Mining Project Agreement, or to someone who has a historical connection with the communities of Mapoon, Napranum or New Mapoon.

Mr Ahmat said “I feel there’s a lot of support from my family and Rio Tinto to pursue this apprenticeship, which is great because continuing to work locally in the Western Cape region is important for me.

“By completing my apprenticeship, I hope I can be a role model for other Indigenous people in the region, encouraging people to grab the opportunities on offer with two hands.

“I am really excited about getting my career in diesel fitting under way.

“This apprenticeship will provide me with life-long skills and a trade, with the opportunity to secure full time employment after completion.

Rio Tinto Alcan Weipa general manager operations Gareth Manderson said “I am pleased to welcome such a diverse group of Far North Queensland locals to Weipa mine.

“Local employment remains a key focus for our operation. Having a consistent pipeline of work-ready apprentices and students is an important part of delivering sustainable economic prosperity for communities across the broader Cape York region.

“We also have four new school-based trainees joining our site one day a week as part of our partnership with the Western Cape College.

“We are proud to offer both of these opportunities to help provide strong school-to-work pathways and build capacity in young people in the region.”

The apprenticeship program is delivered with support from training partner Skill360. 

Senior employment coordinator David Morgan said “This apprenticeship partnership is highly regarded throughout Far North Queensland, and once again a record number of applications had been received.

“The calibre of applicants was very high, as undertaking an apprenticeship with Rio Tinto Alcan Weipa is a great opportunity to gain trade specific skills in a controlled learning environment.

“The new group of apprentices has just started their eight-week training induction, with each participant building a ‘rolling tool trolley’ under the supervision of experienced tradespeople.”

The fifteen new recruits will bring the total number of apprentices at the bauxite mine to 48.