The electrical and plant mechanic apprentices will complete two months of hands-on experience at Bengalla before starting a six-month study.

The study, at Hunter TAFE’s Muswellbrook Mining Industry Skills Centre, will include technical knowledge and life skills such as driving, safety awareness and managing finances.

Bengalla general manager operations Jo-Anne Scarini said the company was pleased to welcome Adam Prowse, Darby Guiterrez, Rohan Pottinger and Shae Pemberton to the site. 

“Bengalla is pleased to continue our commitment to providing employment opportunities for young people in the region with the support of our training partners MIGAS,” she said.

“The program provides apprentices with a great start in the mining industry and allows Bengalla to tap into a pool of talented workers and help build capacity in the Hunter Valley.

“I congratulate our four new apprentices on taking this first step in their careers and look forward to seeing them learn and develop skills in their chosen fields.”

The students are also enthusiastic about their new chapter.

“I’m very excited to have such a great opportunity to work in the mining industry,” Muswellbrook High School graduate and new apprentice Shae Pemberton said.

“My first impression of Bengalla is that it is a well-organised environment where people are always making sure everybody is safe at work.

“I look forward to learning as much as I can within the four years of my apprenticeship.”

MIGAS field officer and apprenticeship coordinator Angela Gardner said the company was proud to continue its support of Bengalla in the training and development of apprentices in regional areas of NSW.

“We share the common goal of creating a skilled workforce for the future, and are committed in providing a safe working environment,” she said.