A group of 30 excited and energetic new apprentices started their apprenticeships with BHP Mitsubishi (BMA) last week.

The class of ‘24 have come from a range of different regions across Queensland and represent a diverse group to showcase BMA’s inclusive workforce.

This will be the fourth consecutive year there are more female apprentices than males among the newcomers. There is a mix of school leavers and mature apprentices to enter the program.

Prior to commencing their Apprenticeship, each person participates in BMA’s Work Readiness Program at the Emerald TAFE, which focusses on what the program entails and most importantly, what the new apprentices can expect once they commence their time with BMA.

Long-term BMA Apprentice Coordinator Andy List was one of the mentors to welcome the new apprentices at the Work Readiness Program at the Emerald TAFE to educate them and get them started on their program in person.

“It’s been another great intake of apprentices this year and the work readiness program has been a good opportunity to welcome them to BMA and prepare them for their future careers, focussing on safety and explaining why this our number one focus while on site,” he said.

“They all had such interesting stories to tell and it was fascinating to capture their enthusiasm. I’ve met many new apprentices throughout my time at BMA and I can’t wait to see how their careers develop. I’ll be eager to watch how they integrate into the different sites, with new skills to learn and new teammates to meet.”

The new cohort of apprentices will be specialising in a range of skillsets and trades, such as Electricians, Mechanical Fitters, Diesel Fitters, Auto-Electricians and Boilermakers across many of BMA’s mine sites in the Bowen Basin.

Keira is one of the new apprentices embarking on her new career with BMA at Hay Point Coal Terminal specialising in becoming a Mechanical Fitter.

“This experience is life-changing for me. I’m fresh out of school and moved from Cooktown to start in the industry and I’m looking forward to creating a new life, but I am most excited about being hands on and developing skills which will see me gain a trade that I’ll take with me into the future,” she said.

“Every person I have met so far has been encouraging, friendly and I have found it so easy to approach them to find out more to understand what I’ll be doing.”

Each of the 30 apprentices completed the Work Readiness Program to help prepare them for their new careers and they commenced in their chosen apprenticeships at their new sites in late February.

BMA has a long history of investing in skills and training and is committed to creating pathways and employment opportunities for the next generation of miners.