Glencore's biggest vacation program as students flock to sites
Media statement
Glencore has welcomed its biggest intake of the Coal Summer Vacation Employment Program, with 101 tertiary students set to gain on-the-job experience during the current university break.
The 2021 intake is the largest on record for the program, with 58 students placed at New South Wales operations and another 43 across Queensland sites.
Glencore’s Human Resources Manager, Tracey Clements, said it was exciting to see such a diverse mix of disciplines and backgrounds entering the coal mining industry.
“This year 23 of the 101 students are mining engineers, which is fantastic given the shortage in the industry and the requirement to provide industrial experience to qualify for graduation,” she said.
“We also have students from disciplines including mechanical and electrical engineering, environmental science, finance and accounting, geology, human resources, and information technology.”
Shirlee Duke, a Chemical Engineering and Business Management student at University of Queensland, is one of many undertaking vacation work at Glencore.
She will spend 12 weeks working as a process engineering student at Ravensworth Coal Handling & Preparation Plant in the Hunter Region of NSW.
“My passion for the resources and products that form the building blocks of today’s society made me want to pursue a career as a process engineer,” she said.
“Not all of the skills taught in the classroom at university prepare you for the job, and so I wanted to gain experience in understanding how one of the largest mining companies in the world operates and what makes it successful.”
From assisting with daily stockpile drives to stocks reconciliation, Shirlee said no two days at site are the same.
“If you’re considering applying for the Vacation Program, do it,” she said.
“You will complete the program having learned so much technically, as well as about how a mine operates, how teams interact, and the importance of implementing safety protocols.”
For further information, please contact:
Allyn Hamonet
m: +61 418 228 075
e: Allyn Hamonet
Elise Pfeiffer
m: +61 408 095 530
e: Elise Pfeiffer
Notes for editors
About Glencore
Glencore is one of the world’s largest global diversified natural resource companies and a major producer and marketer of more than 60 commodities. The Group's operations comprise around 150 mining and metallurgical sites and oil production assets.
With a strong footprint in over 35 countries in both established and emerging regions for natural resources, Glencore's industrial activities are supported by its global marketing network.
Glencore's customers are industrial consumers, such as those in the automotive, steel, power generation, battery manufacturing and oil sectors. We also provide financing, logistics and other services to producers and consumers of commodities. Glencore's companies employ around 160,000 people, including contractors.
Glencore is proud to be a member of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights and the International Council on Mining and Metals. We are an active participant in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.
Visit Glencore's website to learn more.
About Glencore Australia
Glencore has operated in Australia for over 20 years and holds significant interests in a range of commodity industries across all mainland states and the Northern Territory.
We employ about 18,720 people across the coal, copper, zinc, nickel and oil industries.
In 2019, Glencore contributed about $14.8 billion to the regional, state and national economies in Australia. The most significant economic contribution came from core business activities: employing people, sourcing from local communities, and paying taxes to host governments.
Visit Glencore Australia's website to find out more.
About Glencore's coal business in Australia
Glencore is one of Australia’s largest coal producers with 16 operational mines across New South Wales and Queensland.
We provide employment for almost 11,000 Australians and in 2019 managed the production of about 119 million tonnes of thermal and coking coal, predominantly for export. We have a strong safety and environmental performance and play an active role in the development of low emission coal technology.