Glencore building trade skills for the future
In March, Glencore proudly welcomed four new enthusiastic young apprentices in the Electrical and Fitter and Turner trades as part of our Apprenticeship Program in Townsville.
Our four-year Apprenticeship Program is designed to build the skills and confidence of apprentices through a supportive learning environment that combines hands-on experience with formal training. Participants complete their on-the-job learning with our skilled tradespeople while undertaking off-site studies through our training partners, TAFE North Queensland in Mount Isa and TecNQ in Townsville.
While our Townsville operations have a smaller footprint for Violet Allen, Tomas Pidgeon, Ella Wust and Dan McDonald it presented the perfect opportunity to undertake a trade in their chosen field.
Darren Nyen, Superintendent Refinery Maintenance and Paul Taylor, Manager Copper Refinery and Port Operations welcome Dan, Ella, Tomas and Violet earlier in the year as they commenced their Fitter and Turner and Electrical trade apprenticeships.
Since joining the program, the apprentices have fully embraced the chance to grow their skills and gain valuable experience alongside our knowledgeable team.
Let’s hear a little about their journey so far.
Violet Allen – 1st Year Electrical Apprentice
Violet has always had a passion for problem-solving and understanding how things work.
Growing up around tradespeople in her family, she admired their craftsmanship and the security that a trade career provides, making this path a natural fit for her.
Since starting her apprenticeship, Violet says she’s learned an incredible amount in a short period of time. As the year progresses, she’s been given more complex tasks and finds the added responsibility both challenging and highly rewarding.
“The physical and mental work of an electrical trade suits me,” says Violet. “I enjoy the hands-on aspect of the job and being able to physically see the results of my work. I’m learning new techniques and building confidence every day.”
Reflecting so far, Violet says her apprenticeship has helped her grow in terms of confidence and responsibility.
“When I first started, I was nervous, but over time I’ve learned to trust my training, be part of a team and ask questions when I’m unsure. It’s made me a better coworker and a more confident person overall.”
Violet Allen, first year Electrical Apprentice with work colleague Michael Boniface from the Refinery Maintenance team.
Tomas Pidgeon – 1st Year Electrical Apprentice
Tomas’s interest in the practical, hands-on side of electrotechnology inspired him to leave university and pursue a career in the electrical trade, one that allows him to apply his skills in a more tangible way.
Since beginning his apprenticeship, Tom has gained valuable experience working with both traditional and modern technologies across the refinery. He said, “it’s fascinating to see how the industry has evolved and changed over the years.”
“I enjoy working alongside experienced tradespeople on different jobs. Their knowledge and patience to stop and explain tasks starting with the basics is invaluable. It’s allowed me to grasp a better understanding of how everything works and gave me a head start when I began my studies at TecNQ” says Tom.
Tomas Pidgeon 1st year Electrical Apprentice works with experienced tradespeople of different ages who bring their unique way of thinking and approach to a job. This has taught him there’s more than one way to get things done.
Ella Wust – 2nd Year Fitter and Turner Apprentice
Ella loves the challenge of a job, doing something new and constantly learning.
As a Fitter and Turner apprentice the variety of work keeps her motivated day-to-day and the more her confidence grows, the more certain she is that she chose the right trade to pursue.
“I enjoy the physical work, working as a team and the crew banter that brings us all together. The more confident and capable I become I’m rewarded with the responsibility to take on more complex tasks,” says Ella.
“The fitters I’m learning from have been amazing, it doesn’t matter how many questions I ask, they are genuinely there for me, encouraging and guiding me on the job.”
Both Ella Wust (2nd year) and Dan McDonald, (4th year) Fitter and Turner Apprentices enjoy the variety in their work and that no two days are the same.
Dan McDonald – 4th Year Fitter and Turner Apprentice
After starting his apprenticeship as a CNC/Manual Machinist with Arena Engineering, Dan is now in his fourth year as a Fitter and Turner at our Townsville Copper Refinery.
From an early interest in fixing his own dirt bikes, Dan discovered pulling apart broken down machines, finding the problem, reassembling them and bringing them back to life was the type of challenge that motivated him. This passion has led to a switch in his trade path from Machinist to Fitter and Turner.
“I am always learning something new,” says Dan. “I enjoy the variety of jobs I get to work on at the refinery which is helping to expand my knowledge and skills.”
Tradespeople are essential to the smooth running of our daily operations, and our comprehensive Apprenticeship Program is designed to equip apprentices with the skills and experience needed to build a successful career.
The primary training hub for Queensland Metals’ Apprenticeship Program is Mount Isa Mines. With a larger operation than Townsville, it offers a wide range of trade opportunities for young and mature candidates across the north-west region.
Currently, Glencore Queensland Metals is training 96 apprentices across a variety of trades, including Electrical, Auto Electrical, Radio Technician, Diesel Fitting, Fitter Machinist, Boilermaker, Mechanical, Refrigeration, and Fitter and Turner. In 2025, 18 fourth-year apprentices proudly achieved their trade qualifications.
Through our commitment to high-quality training, supported by the expertise, resources, and guidance provided at our operations, the future is bright for our next generation of skilled tradies.