Mackay Sugar’s Mossman Mill this week welcomed three new apprentices Jayden McLean, Ryan Melchert and Casey Spencer, into its Apprenticeship Program.

The recruits are set to gain a trade in the areas of boilermaking, electrical/instrumentation, and fitting and turning upon completion of the four-year training program.

Their apprenticeships will be conducted through Cairns TAFE.  They will attend TAFE in block stages while working full-time at the Mill.

Jayden McLean from Mossman is a first year fitter and turner.  After doing work experience, on three different occasions, as a student at Mossman High, Jayden said he decided to do an apprenticeship as he had a keen interest in metal work and mechanics.

Ryan Melchert, also from Mossman, has taken on an electrical apprenticeship. He said that after working for three years at the Mill operating machinery, as well as subcontracting for Ergon Energy, has prepared him to begin an apprenticeship. Ryan also attended Mossman High.

Casey Spencer, another Mossman lad who also attended Mossman High, has begun his apprenticeship as a boilermaker. He has worked at the Mill for four years doing general mill work and said that he had gained a lot of practical experience that will be a benefit during his apprenticeship and is looking forward to gaining more knowledge.

Upon their commencement, the apprentices participated in an intensive induction program to ensure they can work safely and efficiently on site.

Mackay Sugar’s General Manager Mossman Mill Haydn Slattery said the apprentices will be provided with the necessary skills and knowledge needed to grow and develop in their chosen vocation field.

“Our apprentices get to work in various areas of our mill, which sees them not only involved with sugar manufacturing, but also the production of renewable energy and other products created from the sugar milling process.

“Our apprentices also gain valuable on-the-job knowledge and guidance from our long-term employees,” Mr Slattery said.

Mossman Mill now has a total of 12 apprentices participating in the Mackay Sugar Apprenticeship Program.

Mackay Sugar formally recognises the achievements of its apprentices at an annual Apprentice Awards function, at which an Apprentice of the Year is also named in recognition of their outstanding work performance.

Mossman-based Third Year Electrical/Instrumentation Apprentice Collen Stevenson was awarded the 2015 Mossman Mill Apprentice of the Year in early December 2015.