Mining giant BHP Mitsubishi on hiring spree in mining towns

JOBS in the Bowen Basin are up for grabs as mining giant BHP Mitsubishi Alliance seeks apprentices for its various operations.

MINING giant BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) is on the hunt for apprentices to work in its mines across the Bowen Basin.
BMA said its apprenticeship program was now open again following a record intake of 56 trainees in February in a range of trades including mechanics, diesel fitters, electricians, auto electricians and boilermakers. The new intake is expected to be of a similar size.

Offers in the earlier round were made to applicants from across the region including Moranbah, the Greater Mackay area, Blackwater, Dysart and from Central and North Queensland.

BMA Asset President James Palmer said that while the challenges of COVID-19 continued to evolve, the mining company continued to support the local communities where it operated.

The latest intake of BMI apprentices.

“This includes seeking another strong apprentice cohort for 2021 to ensure our workforce is built upon solid foundations of local qualified tradespeople,” said Mr Palmer.

The company was looking for applicants from a range of backgrounds from school leavers through to mature age people, “These apprentices are the future of our business and the apprenticeships offer a critical pathway into a career in mining for regional communities,” said Mr Palmer.

Angela Mills, grew up in Dysart and first heard about the BMA apprenticeships as a school student at Dysart State High School. This year she started her apprenticeship at BMA's Saraji Mine as a boilermaker as part of the 2020 intake of apprentices.

The 2021 apprentices will specialise in a range of trades such as electrical, mechanical, diesel fitting, auto-electrical, refrigeration mechanics and boiler making.

Those interested should apply through the BHP careers portal: careers.bhp.com. Applications close on 17 June 2020.