Hotly contested mine traineeships offer new opportunities

Alcoa is further stepping up its efforts to help people join the resources sector by offering mine traineeships at its Western Australian operations for the first time in a decade.

The traineeships are part of an extensive suite of employment and training opportunities offered by the integrated bauxite miner and alumina and aluminium producer.

Over Alcoa’s 57-year history in Australia, it has recruited more than 2,000 trainees, apprentices and graduates. The company currently employs more than 3,770 people in Western Australia.

Alcoa’s Simon Carr (back/left) welcomes the company’s new mine production trainees including Erika Harrison, Kristie Truebody and Jorja Zawadzki (front row, left to right).

The 12-month Mine Production Traineeships, which are based at Alcoa’s Huntly Bauxite Mine near Pinjarra, are also supporting the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion with female and Indigenous recruits among the nine people appointed to the new roles, which were contested by more than 1300 applicants.

Alcoa Huntly Bauxite Mine Manager Brett Hodges said the traineeships would provide valuable knowledge and extensive exposure to the mining industry. “These traineeships are a great opportunity for people in our communities who are either changing careers or newly entering the workforce,” Mr Hodges said. “The new recruits represent the future of our company and the industry.”

Following a two-week onboarding program during January, the recruits will get on-the-job training in heavy-duty equipment, blasting operations, safety requirements and working as part of a team. They will also undertake TAFE studies and finish with a nationally-recognised Certificate II in Surface Extraction Operations.

New trainee Kristie Truebody, from Dawesville, said she was excited to grow her career. “I’m proud to represent women in mining and I look forward to the challenges the next 12-months may involve,” Kristie said.

<For more information on Alcoa’s career opportunities, visit https://www.alcoa.com/global/en/careers/default.asp>.

ENDS

Media Contact:

• Beth Butler, Community Relations Officer, 0404 800 363, beth.butler@alcoa.com