Seven first-year Glencore Coal apprentices have received a kick-start to their careers after graduating from a specialised, six-month Mudgee Skills Centre program at TAFE NSW today.

The program is tailored to the needs of Glencore Coal and delivers intensive skills training to develop apprentices that are ready to walk onto a major mine site.

TAFE NSW Fitting and Machining Teacher Darran Moran explained that the course includes upskilling the apprentices in everything from first-aid and risk management to machining, welding, sheet metalwork, and hydraulics.

“You need to be skilled in several trades and disciplines to work effectively in an industry like mining where you are dealing with heavy equipment in an industrial environment,” Mr Moran said.

“These days tradespeople need to be upskilling with industry relevancy and safety standards to be competitive and remain a valued asset.”

Glencore Coal Apprentice Coordinator Paul Gill said the Mudgee Skills Centre program instils excellent foundational trade skills in their young apprentices and ensures their safety and risk management knowledge is developed to a high standard.

“Our apprentices get the advantage of being trained by industry experienced teachers. It’s amazing to see how they develop and what they can produce after just six months,” Mr Gill said.

“What this partnership delivers for us is apprentices who are truly job ready when they walk onto our mine site. It also ensures we are continually developing a pipeline of new workers that can meet the future needs of our business.”

Mr Gill said the collaboration between Glencore Coal and TAFE NSW first began in 2013 and has been a win-win for everyone involved.

“It’s been an excellent collaboration for the Mudgee community, which benefits from young people being trained and employed in the local region,” he said.

Pursue your passion with life-changing training at TAFE NSW and explore hundreds of courses now available. For more information, visit www.tafensw.edu.au or phone 131 601.
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Media contact: Terra Sword, Communications Specialist. Phone: 0437 697 723. Email: terra.sword@tafensw.edu.au.