Anglo American’s Dawson Mine in the Bowen Basin has appointed eight new apprentices in 2022, where they will spend the next four years learning their trades.

General Manager of Anglo American’s Dawson Mine, Clarence Robertson, said supporting skills development and creating entry-level employment positions would build a trained workforce for the future. 

“Our apprentices will have the opportunity to work across the operations at Dawson, including the workshop, coal processing plant and in the field to develop their skills alongside experienced tradespeople who mentor the apprentices,” Mr Robertson said.

“At Anglo American, we have a strong history of building a pipeline of qualified workers in the region and we currently have 26 apprentices at Dawson learning their trade. All of the eight apprentices to Dawson this year are from Central Queensland including Theodore, near our mine.”

For Anna Morgan, Electrical Apprentice from Gladstone, the prospect to gain a trade qualification at Dawson Mine was a life-changing career move.

"I saw the resources industry as an exciting and challenging place to start my apprenticeship which I hope will lead to a long and rewarding career. I’m really enjoying being on site and everyone has been very friendly and helpful,” Ms Morgan said.

The eight apprenticeships are across electrical, auto-electrical, diesel fitter and boilermaker trades.

The apprentices came to Anglo American through the ongoing partnership with Apprentices and Trainees Queensland (ATQLD) in Gladstone. ATQLD operates through Central Queensland, focusing on providing and supporting apprenticeship opportunities for local individuals while meeting the needs of regional industries.

Anglo American is a leading global mining company, with significant investments within Australia and particularly in Queensland. The company operates five metallurgical coal mines in Queensland’s Bowen Basin, along with additional projects, joint venture interests, and copper exploration projects in Central West Queensland and the South West of Western Australia.