HVTC Skills Centre welcomed 27 new power generation and mining industry apprentices as they began their careers at the custom-built training facility on Monday, 19 January 2015.

The first year electrical and mechanical apprentices, aged between 17 and 40, will learn essential workplace ready and safety skills during the next six months to ensure they are well prepared to begin working at various sites located across the region.

 

For the first time, HVTC is helping to fill a gap in the power industry of providing specialised training delivery with nine of the new apprentices working at Delta Electricity and Origin Energy.

Mining company Donaldson Coal is hosting two apprentices and Glencore the remaining sixteen. Two of the new apprentices are women having undertaken their apprenticeships with Glencore and Origin Energy.

 

HVTC CEO Sharon Smith said this year’s intake of apprentices showcases the flexibility in training delivery necessary to meet the changing needs of industry.

“Our new state-of-the-art Skills Centre is the perfect work-ready training environment for power companies such as Delta and Origin. We’re filling a current gap and intend to provide the best delivery possible for our new clients.”

“We’re now delivering specialised trades training at an even higher level of service to apprentices and employers. We have additional courses starting later in the year for apprentices and will be offering pre-apprentice and other short courses for existing workers and new job seekers.”

“This is another great example of how HVTC’s significant investment in training is creating ongoing benefits for the region,” Ms Smith said.