Alcoa traineeships ‘like winning the lotto’

Applications are now open for 12-month Traineeships in Surface Extraction at Alcoa’s Huntly and Willowdale bauxite mines in the Peel and South West regions of Western Australia.

Commencing February 2024, the highly sought-after traineeships are nationally accredited and include TAFE studies and practical assessments to widen participants’ career prospects. Successful applicants will finish with a Certificate II in Surface Extraction.

Highlighting Alcoa’s commitment to diversity, Marissa Smolowitz from Mundijong is one success story of the traineeship program.

Ms Smolowitz secured a full-time position after completing her traineeship earlier this year and can’t imagine working anywhere else.

“I tell my friends and family it was like winning the lotto when I landed my traineeship,” said Ms Smolowitz.

“I had never worked in the mining industry, so everything was new to me, but spending time in all areas and working with different crews enabled me to gain an understanding of all that is needed to successfully run a mine.

“Since day one, everybody has been welcoming and helpful and I have felt a great sense of achievement as I have worked through challenges and secured several high-risk licenses.

“No two days are the same and I am happy to come to work each day as a proud Alcoan. I hope to spend the rest of my working days here.”

An added advantage of working for Alcoa is their bauxite mines are close to regional towns in the Peel and South West, providing successful candidates with easy access to work without the need to fly to remote locations.

As a nationally recognised employer of choice for gender equity and advocate for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex inclusion, Alcoa encourages applications from women, people of diverse backgrounds and those with different skills and life experiences.

Applications close Sunday 15 October 2023. For more information and to apply visit Alcoa’s careers page www.alcoa.com/recruitingnow-aus.