Apprentices Kick Start Career

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The future is looking bright for the Programmed Industrial Maintenance, Muswellbrook workforce with them taking on 8 keen new apprentices for 2020. 

Each year Programmed Industrial Maintenance, Muswellbrook aims to recruit 5 new apprentices, this year smashing it out the park by supporting 8 new apprentices in their chosen career paths. 

Of those 8, the Muswellbrook branch took on 1 x 3rd Year and 2 x 2nd Year Engineering Fabrication Apprentices, that previously worked for MRS. “After the closure of MRS these apprentices approached our business and after reviewing their application and recognising that these locals were unfortunately out of work due to no fault of their own, a decision was made to make positions available to them in our business so they were able to complete their apprenticeships,” said Programmed Industrial Maintenance Muswellbrook’s HSEQ Advisor Karlee Boyle.

The apprenticeships currently underway at the Muswellbrook branch – such as a Certificate III – Business Administration, Certificate III – Engineering Fabrication Trade, Certificate III – Mechanical Trade, Certificate III – Mobile Plant Technology, Certificate IV – Mechanical Trade and Certificate IV – Engineering Trade – provide vast opportunities for apprentices to develop in their diverse range of careers and progress into leadership and dual trade roles.

“Upskilling our employees gives them an opportunity to work across an increasingly diverse industry to the high standards our clients expect,” said Karlee.

“Each apprentice is given the chance to discuss the direction in which they would like their career to progress. In each trade there are different areas in which you can work in and although we support the apprentices through the whole trade, if an apprentice is wanting to learn more in a specific area, we are able to focus more on that area.”

New apprentices start with a robust induction program allowing them to learn a range of new knowledge base focusing on safety and hazard awareness and identification. Programmed Industrial Maintenance are passionate about ensuring that when new apprentices commence work on the workshop floor, they are ready and have the skills to keep themselves and the personal around them safe.

“Young Workers and the safety of Young Workers is important to Programmed Industrial Maintenance (Muswellbrook). We have a tailor made young workers training module along with a Supervising Young Workers training module. This allows the whole team to be on the same page when it comes to supporting our new apprentices,” said Karlee.

I recently sat down with Sam Sawkins, 1stYear Apprentice in Engineering – Fabrication Trade during his second week, “I’m stoked that I have been given the opportunity to develop my career in the Fabrication Trade with Programmed, being a boilermaker has been my dream for as long as I can remember. The people have been helpful, and it is a real team feeling coming into the workshop. Everyone has a real focus on safety which is good.”

The support each apprentice receives during the program shone through every conversation I had with members of the workforce. 

“I have learnt so much in the short time I have been working at Programmed Industrial Maintenance. Everyone I have been involved with has been supportive and willing to show me skills that I will use for the rest of my career,” said Olivia Daniels recently starting her Certificate III in Business Administration.

The Programmed Industrial Maintenance, Muswellbrook team expressed they view their apprentices as the future of their company, and they strive to develop highly skilled employees to join their team and become the leaders of tomorrow.

“Seeing each apprentice develop both a skill set and knowledge base that is the foundation of their future is something that we take pride in,” said Karlee.

“We reflect on the success of our apprentices as they can only be as successful with the correct training and exposure to their trade.”

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