Isis Central Sugar Mill gets new group of apprentices

Isis Central Sugar Mill has a longstanding tradition of helping aspiring tradespeople kickstart their careers. Meet the new apprentices joining the mill this year.

Apprentices left to right: Jordan Thompson, Kody Thode, Cody Nibbs, Euan Gordan, Cameron Carter, John Bauer.

Isis Central Sugar Mill (ICSM) has kicked off 2025 by welcoming seven eager first-year apprentices to join their skilled workforce.

ICSM CEO Craig Wood said the mill had a proud history of providing employment opportunities to fresh talent and supporting them on their journey of becoming fully qualified in their trade of choice.

An ICSM spokesman confirmed this year’s seven first-year apprentices bring the total number of apprentices to 25.

The recruits join the Isis Mill across a range of trades, including boilermaker, fitter and turner, electrical, auto electrical, and electrical instrument.

“Isis Mill staff are the backbone of our business so investing in apprentices has always been a critical part of our business model,” Mr Wood said.

“We have very experienced and dedicated tradespeople and supervisors who make solid role models and teachers throughout the apprentices’ four-year journey.”

One of this year’s apprentices, Cameron Carter, has “been on the tools” since he was “old enough to hold them”.

In the hopes of securing a much coveted apprenticeship role, he worked as a Trades Assistant at the mill throughout 2024.

“I thought if I worked hard then I’d stand out,” he said.

“I get the chance to work on some of the best machines at the Mill.”

Mr Wood said he saw value in ensuring staff were “trained well, given opportunities to learn and progress and were supported as part of the Mill family”.

“With the guidance and mentoring of our experienced trade supervisors, all apprentices will receive a solid hands-on apprenticeship, gaining valuable skills and building the confidence needed to launch a successful career,” Mr Wood said.

Mr Carter said the working environment at the mill was one of the main reasons he wanted to work there.

“Everyone is super nice and it’s a very encouraging environment,” he said.

He also said that his supervisor, Blake Blair was “a human encyclopaedia”.

Originally published as Isis Central Sugar Mill gets new group of apprentices