Bengalla mine takes on five more apprentices

Rio Tinto’s Bengalla coal mine is located in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Australia, and provides approximately seven million tpa of thermal coal to international markets.

The company has taken on five new electrical and plant mechanic apprentices at the opencast coal mine. They will begin their career here with group training employer MIGAS and will joion 14 other apprentices at the opencast coal mine.

The apprentices include Matthew Dunn, William Noonan, Crystal Lacey, Joaby Stevens and Jake Gurtman. They will carry out hands-on experience at Bengalla’s opencast coal mine and a technical study period at Hunter Institute Muswellbrook Mining Industry Skills Centre over the four-year programme.

Bengalla General Manager Operations, Jo-Anne Scarini commented: “It is always satisfying to welcome the new intake of apprentices. We take our responsibility to develop young people very seriously and we will work hard to ensure this occurs effectively. We look forward to seeing extremely competent tradespeople in four years’ time.”

Muswellbrook Local and New Apprentice, Joaby Stevens said: “I was stoked and really grateful to receive an apprenticeship with Bengalla. The appeal of working for Bengalla is that it is close to home and has lots of opportunities to learn new things. Bengalla also has a good working community and I wanted to be a part of that.”

Stevens continued: “I knew I wanted to work in a trade when an electrician came and changed lightbulbs and switches at my house, and told me some of the ‘works’ involving electricity. I chose to work for Bengalla as I wanted to get the best out of my apprenticeship and learn as much as possible.”

Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/coal/26112015/bengalla-mine-takes-on-five-more-apprentices-3207/