Queensland Metals’ Pathway Programs light the way for exciting and fulfilling careers in resources

Queensland Metals’ Pathway Programs are proving to be a valuable employment avenue for young and talented people seeking a career in the mining and resources industry.

Learn more about our various programs and the different experiences being gained by some of our participants.

Apprentices

Forty-three new apprentices have joined Queensland Metals this year to get their hands dirty and kick-start a career in a trade. 

Tradespeople play a critical role in our day-to-day operations at Queensland Metals, and it is extremely rewarding to welcome so many enthusiastic apprentices on board again in 2022.

The four-year Apprenticeship Program combines continuous training courses at TAFE North Queensland, with onsite experience in the apprentices’ relevant operational teams.

First year apprentices (left to right): Brandon McElligott, Arnold Rittner, Keith Quinlan, Connor Baker and James Olape.

Mount Isa Mines second-year Boilermaker Apprentice, Patrick Stanford says the best thing about an apprenticeship with Mount Isa Mines is the rotations schedule.

“I’ve been able to gain further experience in my trade by rotating amongst different departments in the operations, such as crushing and conveying, fixed plant maintenance and Southern Cross workshop. At each one, I’ve worked alongside knowledgeable tradesmen who have taught me a range of different skills, and helped to increase my proficiency as a boilermaker,” Patrick says.

“I’d definitely recommend the Apprenticeship Program to others interested in a career in a trade. If you work hard, the opportunities with Queensland Metals are endless.” Patrick says.

Find out more about our Apprenticeship Program.

Patrick Standord, Boilermaker Apprentice in the TAFE North Queensland workshop.

First-year apprentices Kewan Harrison and Cody Clemments completing their training inductions.

Graduates

Thirty new graduates have commenced with Queensland Metals in January and February across a number of disciplines including mining, civil and mechanical engineering, as well as finance, environmental, surveying and metallurgy.

Queensland Metals Organisational Development Specialist, Shirley Brown, says the two-year program offers structured, professional development with on-the-job experience and mentoring from some of the best in the industry.

“Graduates get the opportunity to rotate through different multi-disciplined teams to develop their industry knowledge and leadership and management skills,” Shirley says.

Graduate Geologist, Isabella Spiers, recently started work with Queensland Metals after completing a Bachelor of Science at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch.

“As a Graduate Geologist, I spend a lot of my time completing production days, either underground or in the core shed.”

Graduate Geologist, Isabella Spiers and Mine Geologist, Ben Ryan in the Mount Isa Mines Core Shed.

“This interaction with the underground workforce gives me a better understanding of the overall mining process from multiple perspectives and helps to cement my knowledge in the field,” Isabella says.

“The Mount Isa lifestyle has really surprised me. There’s always something happening, whether it be a sporting game, networking events or other social activities.”

“Living in North West Queensland has brought me out of my comfort zone and given me a range of new experiences, such as attending the iconic Mount Isa Mines Rodeo.” 

Isabella says she’s looking forward to completing the two-year program with Glencore in North Queensland.

“The opportunity to work across different mine sites with different commodities in close proximity to one another is something unique.”

For final year university students and recent graduates, applications for Queensland Metals’ 2023 Graduate Program are now open.

Learn more about Isabella Spiers’ experience with the Queensland Metals Graduate Program.
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Learn more about Isabella Spiers’ experience with the Queensland Metals Graduate Program.

Vacation students

This month we said goodbye to 37 vacation students who had joined us at Mount Isa Mines and the Townsville Copper Refinery for 12 weeks in November during their university holidays.

The Vacation Student Program gives students a chance to implement their theoretical knowledge into an operational mine environment, and gives them insight as to what a career in their chosen field is like.

Environmental Vacation Student, Dylan Ford, says the Vacation Student Program has given him the opportunity to be involved in a range of projects that help to ensure a sustainable future for Mount Isa Mines.

“Rotating between the Rehabilitation, Water Management and Air Quality control teams throughout the past 12 weeks, some of my key projects included contaminant source investigations, groundwater assessments and dam level monitoring.”

Hear from Dylan Ford about working with the Environmental teams at Mount Isa Mines.
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Hear from Dylan Ford about working with the Environmental teams at Mount Isa Mines.

“I love being outdoors and these projects gave me the chance to spend much of my time exploring and observing the surrounding environment in North West Queensland.”

“I’ve also met many new friends and potential future colleagues through this program, who have made the past 12 weeks really exciting.”

“I’m really looking forward to re-applying for the program and returning to Mount Isa Mines for the next intake at the end of this year,” Dylan says.

We look forward to welcoming the students back in November 2022 as returning vacation students or as graduates for those who have completed their studies.

Find out more about our Vacation Employment Program.

The vacation students spend 12 weeks over their summer holidays working in their relevant field with Queensland Metals.

The Vacation Student Program gives students the chance to implement their theoretical knowledge into an operational mine environment.

School leavers

The School Leavers Program is a chance for our local Year 12 graduates to spend 12 months working at Mount Isa Mines to explore their interest in a career in the resources industry.

This year, 10 school leavers joined the business in a variety of departments including administration roles at Mount Isa Copper Operations and the copper and lead smelters, labouring roles at the copper concentrator and building services, and in the mining engineering team working alongside our professional engineers.

2021 Administration School Leaver, Kaylee Pope, says the program has given her the chance to learn about the endless career paths available in resources once finishing high school.

Kaylee Pope, 2021 Administration School Leaver spent 12 months working as the Administration Assistant in the Mobile Maintenance department.

“My final year of high school in 2020 was stressful in deciding what it was we wanted to do after graduating, but Queensland Metals strongly encouraged us to consider the School Leavers Program, even if we didn’t know too much about mining.”

“I started the program as an Administration Assistant in the Mobile Maintenance Department, and I’m now working as the Receptionist for Central Office.”

“The School Leavers Program has made me far more knowledgeable about how the different areas of the mine operate. I’d definitely recommend the program to other Year 12 graduates looking to get a foot in the door in resources,” Kaylee says.

Find out more about our School Leavers Program as well as our other Employment Pathways programs.