Nine Mackay apprentices accepted into Hastings Deering’s apprenticeship

In a field of 2000 contenders, Mackay’s Melanie Rigby is taking an alternative route toward her dream job and drawing on inspiration close to home.

Hay Point resident Melanie Rigby has decided to put university on the backburner to achieve her dream career.

Ms Rigby, 18, was among 2000 applicants but only 50 accepted into Hastings Deering’s apprenticeship program for 2022.

She aspires to follow in her father’s footsteps and become an auto electrician.

She said the apprenticeship would advance her practical skills for future job prospects and prepare her for university down the line.

“My dad is an electrician and then he did an engineering degree and is now an electrical co-ordinator,” she said.

“He really inspired me to be an auto electrician.

“He said it’s best to get the practical understanding in first because it also makes a degree, in the future, more interesting and relevant.

“It’s a great career and also a gateway to so many other opportunities.”

Mackay residents Melanie Rigby (front), Jack Nutting 22 (left), Cate Glendenning 18, Ella Davis 17 and Matt George 22 (right) have been accepted into Hasting Deering's apprenticeship program for 2022 Picture: Hastings Deering

Ms Rigby said her time spent at the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy’s STEM camp also steered her interest in becoming an auto electrician.

“At the QMEA camp we were given the challenge to engineer an electronic bird feeder that would also deliver data on bird movements,” she said.

“I just loved that.”

Hastings Deering’s executive general manager – safety and operations Daniel Viero said the company had again deliberately targeted a diverse range of apprentices with this cohort a mix of school leavers, mature age workers, females and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

“There is fierce competition for skilled workers across all industries,” Mr Viero said.

“Figures show that between March 2020 and July 2021 the number of trade and non-trade traineeships, across all parts of the workforce, has grown to 347,000: an increase of 27 per cent from pre-Covid levels.”

Mr Viero said Mackay and Rockhampton “dominated” the cohort, with nine Mackay people accepted into the program.

“Mackay and Rockhampton apprentices again dominated the cohort,” he said.

“This is driven both by the calibre of the applicants as well as our pipeline of work in the regions, linked to the resources’ sector as well as supporting the construction industry.

“Hastings Deering continues to invest in the training and development of its people and working with world-class Caterpillar machinery, our apprentices learn about the repair, servicing and maintenance of a massive range of equipment, engines and power systems.”

Hastings Deering welcomed 50 new apprentices to the company and its allied businesses from Queensland and the Northern Territory.