HVO APPRENTICES AND CADET ADVISE SCHOOL STUDENTS ON CAREER OPTIONS

Four HVO team members shared their career experiences and tips on career choices with students from Hunter Valley school on May 2.

HVO Learning and Development Coordinator Paul Watters, Mechanical Engineering Cadet Darcy Castaldi, Mechanical Apprentice Rhys McCrohon and Electrical Apprentice Jarryd Morrissey attended a careers day with around 120, Year 10 students from Mount View High School in Cessnock. The team spoke to students in groups, sharing their career journeys, as well as the career opportunities and pathways available at HVO and within the mining sector.

Paul co-ordinates apprentices at HVO and started his career as an apprentice. He said the event was a great opportunity to highlight the many different career options available to students as well as the entry pathways including apprenticeships and cadetships. 

“Understandably, many students were not sure what they wanted to do after school and didn’t know a lot about apprenticeships and cadetships or mining,” Paul said.

“They were surprised about the range of jobs available in mining – from trades to administration, human resources, environmental management, engineering, work health and safety and geology,” he said.

“It was very rewarding for us to be able to give them some food for thought as they explore what they will do when they complete their schooling. At HVO we are about unearthing opportunity, which is what this career’s day provided students.”

He said the apprentices and cadet also enjoyed the opportunity to speak to the students.

“Attending events such as this is another learning and development opportunity that we can provide our apprentices and cadets. As well as giving our apprentices and cadets the opportunity to gain technical skills and qualifications, we also want to give them leadership and other important softer skills.”

HVO currently supports 32 apprentices and 12 cadets. This year it has 12 first year apprentices – in high voltage electrical, auto electrical and plant mechanic trade areas.

HVO apprenticeships are offered through Glencore Coal Australia’s apprenticeship program. Applications for the 2024 program are advertised here. Applications open on Wednesday May 17 and close on Sunday June 18, 2023.

HVO has a series of videos that share the stories of some of its apprentices and cadets and the opportunities they are unearthing at HVO. Watch them here.

For information about other jobs and career opportunities at HVO, visit our careers page.