What Nickel West vacation work really is...

Each year we hire up to 50 vacation students across our business and almost all go to an operating site. It is from this group we pick our potential graduates, in fact in Nickel West over 70% of our graduates are ex-vacation students. Your vac work can be your job interview in a practical sense, it also often gives you the topic and contacts for your thesis as well. Meeting other vac students, existing grads and even old baby boomers will add to your knowledge of the industry you might be working in.

Sometimes you won't do work related to your degree, sometimes you will but look on it as a chance to show you have what it takes to work with others, to demonstrate a safety, cost and production focus and to meet the rigours of getting up each day for work by 5.00am!

Given that we look for future graduates from our vac students it is often prudent to put your best foot forward and make the most of the work and the team you are with. Most people have a great experience on site. Make sure you stand out because of the good work you do, your safe behaviour and respect for the opportunity. Don't use the time to email your mates on company email or post unflattering comments on Facebook - we read them too!

Have a great vac work experience if you are heading off to a site and we hope you did well in your exams.

The team at Nickel West.