Over 70 new Glencore apprentices get ready for work in Queensland

IN A HUGE BOOST to regional employment, Glencore has increased its apprenticeship intake by 74 in Queensland and 112 across its Australian mining operations, according to the Queensland Resources Council (QRC).

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said this cohort of young women and men were embarking on a long and rewarding career in the resources sector.

“I congratulate Glencore for this significant increase in apprenticeship numbers which will bring life changing opportunities to these young apprentices,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“For example, Casten Lemson, who grew up in Charters Towers and moved to Mount Isa to complete Mount Isa Mines’ Indigenous Employment Program is now an apprentice diesel fitter with the company.

"Over 12 months the resources sector has created a job every 40 minutes which is helping drive down the state’s stubbornly high unemployment rate which is above 6 percent.

“When resources are doing well Queensland is doing well and this announcement is further proof of the sector creating more jobs," Mr Macfarlane said.

“These apprentices will also contribute to the billions of dollars paid in royalty taxes by the resources sector to the State Government to help pay for new schools, hospitals and roads. This year the State Budget is expected to receive $5.2 billion in royalty taxes from the resources sector."

In total, Glencore has 362 young men and women as apprentices based in regional communities throughout Australia.

www.qrc.org.au

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