Glencore kicks off recruitment for 2024 apprenticeship programs across Australia

Media statement
Sydney, Australia

Glencore will add to the hundreds of mining graduates, apprentices, and trainees across our operations as recruitment for our 2024 apprenticeship programs kicks off around Australia today.

As one of the nation’s largest mining companies, Glencore offers best-in-class programs, including for school leavers, university graduates and people of all ages looking for a well-paid and rewarding career in one of the country’s most vital sectors.

In 2021-22, Australia’s exports of minerals, metals and energy commodities accounted for 69% (or $413 billion) of the nation’s total export revenue. Last year, Australian minerals contributed an estimated $64 billion in company taxes and royalties, equivalent to paying for the entire Medicare scheme.

Glencore operates 24 mines across Australia and is the largest producer of coal, zinc and cobalt, and second largest producer of nickel and copper.

“What we do matters, and we are proud of the contribution our business makes to Australia,” said Cassandra McCarthy, Head of Corporate Affairs for Glencore in Australia.

“Last year Glencore provided work for over 18,000 people and contributed $20 billion to the national economy.

“We have welcomed almost 800 people into the coal and minerals sector, including 192 graduates, 403 apprentices and 188 trainees currently working across Glencore’s Australian operations.”

Recruitment for Glencore’s 2024 Coal Apprenticeship Program starts today with the Glencore Queensland Metals 2024 Apprenticeship Program opening from July.  

Glencore’s apprenticeship program allows people to build exciting careers guided by some of the best in the business, all while earning a very good wage.

There are opportunities in electrical, auto electrical, diesel fitting, fitter welder, radio technician, boilermaker, mechanic, fitter turner, and refrigeration trades.

Glencore’s programs are led in-house, with apprentices rotating across the diverse operations, and are tied to a direct career path within the business.

Auto Electrical Apprentice Brianna Thirlwall works at Queensland’s Mount Isa Mines Surface Mobile Fleet Workshop, with her apprenticeship affording her the opportunity to stay at home while learning a trade.

“I completed a Cert II in electrical at TAFE thinking that’s what I wanted to do, but found it wasn’t as interesting as I had expected. It prompted me to do work experience in auto electrical at the mines which I really enjoyed,” Ms Thirlwall said.

“That’s the beauty of Glencore, it provides lots of opportunities to learn about trades and other careers through information sessions and work experience, before you take the next big step.

“Being able to gain an apprenticeship in my hometown has been great and allows me to stay close to family.”

Nick Barry, Plant Mechanic and Mechanical Apprentice with Glencore’s Oaky Creek Coal mine said:

“I’m a third-year apprentice which means I’m predominantly out on site. I do about three to four weeks at TAFE during the year.

“It’s great to be able to earn a competitive salary while learning and building your career.

“In the future I’d like to study mechanical engineering. Glencore is very supportive of that, but you need to prove yourself at TAFE first. The advice I’d give to anyone looking to join the program is to give 100 percent. Whatever you put in, you’ll get out of it.”

More information:

• Glencore Australia employment programs
• Glencore Coal 2024 Apprenticeship Program opens Wednesday 17 May until Sunday 18 June 2023.
• Glencore Queensland Metals 2024 Apprenticeship Program opens Monday 4 July until Monday 8 August 2023.

For further information, please contact:

Francis De Rosa
m: +61 417 074 751
e: Francis De Rosa

Agata Graham
m: +61 478 304 345
e: Agata Graham

Notes for editors

About Glencore Australia

In Australia, Glencore produces coal, copper, cobalt, nickel, zinc, lead and silver from 24 mining operations. We also operate metals processing assets in Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, including metals smelters, concentrators and refineries.

We are among Australia’s largest producers and marketers of natural resources, connecting Australian resources with industrial customers around the world. Through our diverse portfolio, we responsibly supply the resources that advance everyday life.

We employ 18,190 people in Australia and in 2022 contributed about $20 billion to the regional, state and national economies.  This included spend of $10.4 billion with 7,370 businesses across the country, as well as $7.5 billion in government tax and royalty payments.

We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace for our people, to respecting the environment, to engaging openly and constructively with the Traditional Owners on whose lands we operate and to bringing value to local communities.

Glencore recognises our responsibility to contribute to the global effort to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. Our ambition is to be a net zero total emissions company by 2050. In August 2021 we increased our medium-term emission reduction target to a 50% reduction by 2035 and introduced a new short-term target of a 15% reduction by 2026.

Learn more about Glencore Australia.