Apprenticeships with BHP Billiton Nickel West

It was this time last year, that I recruited the first direct-hire intake of apprentices for Nickel West. At the time, I also blogged about the number of candidates who applied (some 400 for 13 or so roles) and what gave some candidates the advantage over others. You can enter ‘Nickel West’ in the search bar on the Home Page to quickly find these blogs if interested.

Nickel West is now recruiting their 2010 Apprenticeship intake for their Western Australian based sites, Leinster and Mount Keith. Leinster, an underground operation, is located 375kms north of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia and Mount Keith, an open-pit operation, is located 460 kms north of Kalgoorlie in the northern Goldfields. Leinster offers residential, FIFO (from Perth) or DIDO (from Kalgoorlie) arrangements whilst Mount Keith is strictly FIFO from Perth.

As a member of the BHP Billiton Group, Nickel West is a fully integrated nickel business comprising mines, concentrators, a smelter and refinery (Mount Keith, Leinster, Kalgoorlie, Kambalda and Kwinana), all located in Western Australia. Nickel West is the world’s third largest producer of nickel-in-concentrate.

One of the key reasons I personally enjoyed working for Nickel West was for the diversity of environment; open cut, underground, chemical processing, FIFO, residential and DIDO options.

Apprenticeship opportunities are now available in the following trades:

• Electrical / Instrumentation
• Mechanical Fitting
• Heavy Duty Diesel Mechanic
• Refrigeration Mechanic – Leinster only

As a minimum, you will have completed Year 10 with sound passes in English and Maths.

Completion of a relevant pre-apprenticeship, work experience or vocational training will be highly regarded as will an aptitude and interest in mechanical or electrical subjects. Extra- curricular activities which demonstrate teamwork will be looked upon favourably.

Indigenous applicants are also strongly encouraged to apply. In line with Section 51(b) of the EEO Act 1984, Nickel West will open a number of these roles to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicants only.

Head here to apply: http://jobs.bhpbilliton.com/searchResults.asp?stp=AW&sLanguage=en&lWorkTypeID=908&lLocationID=4601&lCategoryID=&lBrandID=134

Applications close Monday 19 October.