FOR the second consecutive year, Wilmar Sugar has created more than 40 new apprenticeship positions, as the company shores up trade skills to support what they describe as “an extensive local manufacturing program”.
As Australia’s leading sugar manufacturer, Wilmar has opened applications for its 2024 apprenticeship intake, with 43 positions available across Wilmar Sugar’s Queensland mills and bioethanol distillery.
Of that number, there are 19 new positions in the Burdekin and the company is bringing them on earlier than in the past, with the first-year apprenticeships being in the electrical, boilermaking, fitting and turning and diesel fitting trades.
Of the other positions, eight are in the Herbert, nine in Proserpine, and seven at Sarina.
Training Superintendent, Daniel Shipard said the large intake was driven by the need to build and retain skills across key trades, as Wilmar continued to bring manufacturing back to North Queensland.
“This is the second consecutive year where we’ve offered more than 40 apprenticeship places, which is well above our traditional intake of around 30,” Mr Shipard said.
Wilmar Sugar’s apprenticeship program is one of the most successful in Australia, with Mr Shipard saying that “over the past five years, we’ve achieved an average apprenticeship completion rate of 98 per cent, which is well above the national average”.
“Our apprentices are well supported throughout the program, which is a key factor in our high completion rate,” he said.
“They learn from some of the best tradespeople in the industry, work in a safe environment and they get to work on multi-million-dollar manufacturing projects, like new locos, new pan vessels and new motor control centres.”
Wilmar has brought forward its application process this year so successful applicants can start their apprenticeships in early December, rather than January 2024.
“This will give them the earliest possible start to their apprenticeships, so they start learning new skills and earning money before Christmas,” Mr Shipard said.
Successful applicants are provided with uniforms, PPE and a fully-kitted trade specific toolkit, while Wilmar Sugar also covers all training expenses.
The positions are open to Australian citizens and permanent residents.
Applications close on July 23. More information is available by googling ‘Wilmar Sugar apprenticeships’.
