Alcoa apprentices boost local skills

Alcoa is delighted to celebrate the graduation of 24 newly qualified tradespeople providing a significant skills-boost for local industry and part of the company’s long-term commitment to providing local jobs, for local people.

The graduates spent four years gaining skills in diverse trades including fabrication, mechanical fitting, electrical instrumentation and heavy-diesel mechanics across Alcoa’s two bauxite mines and three alumina refineries in the Kwinana, Peel and South West regions of Western Australia.

Alcoa’s Vice President – Operations Michael Gollschewski was on hand to congratulate the graduates on their achievement at a recent event in Mandurah.

Of the graduating class, six apprentices are from Kwinana, nine from Pinjarra, four from Wagerup, three from Huntly and two from Willowdale.

Alcoa’s Vice President – Operations Michael Gollschewski was on hand to congratulate the graduates on their achievement at a recent event in Mandurah.

“Alcoa continues to prioritise workplace diversity across all operational areas and it is particularly pleasing to note that this years’ graduating class includes eight females,” said Mr Gollschewski.

Alcoa Apprentice Coordinator Craig Watts also congratulated the group, commending the graduates on their hard work.

“The Alcoa apprenticeship program offers a high level of training in a safety focused and diverse environment,” said Mr Watts. “It has been a pleasure to witness the graduates learn and develop over the past four years and is a credit to their determination to succeed as professional tradespeople,” said Mr Watts.

Family, friends and colleagues attended the celebration event, where the following outstanding awards were presented:

2020 Apprentice of the Year:
Willowdale Mine – Ethan Harbour
Huntly Mine – Luke Bain
Kwinana Refinery – Craig Harrison
Pinjarra Refinery – Megan Phillips
Wagerup Refinery – Tyler Archibald

2020 Safety Award:
Kwinana Refinery – Renae Murcia
Pinjarra Refinery – Lachlan Dance
Wagerup Refinery – Laura Cheney

Alcoa has a proud history in training generations of skilled workers over the 57 years it has been operating in Australia with more 2,000 apprentices, trainees and graduates being employed.

Alcoa currently has 101 apprentices employed in WA with another 26 set to start in January 2021, which attracted a highly competitive field of 1699 applicants for the highly sought-after roles. With an increasing number of women applying, the company is proud to have eight talented females among the 24 new recruits in 2020.

For more information on Alcoa’s apprenticeship opportunities, visit www.alcoa.com/apprenticeships