Successful applicants will join 38 apprentices at Mount Thorley Warkworth and Hunter Valley operations.

Mount Thorley Warkworth apprentice Branden Jupp recently won the outstanding student award at the New South Wales TAFE Mining Skills awards.

Jupp encouraged people seeking apprenticeships to be part of the apprentice program offered by Rio Tinto subsidiary Coal and Allied.

“The training and support offered is outstanding and I believe with the support the apprentices are receiving, they will excel and become great tradesmen,” he said.

“The mining skills course develops a very well rounded base of skills which I believe prepared you well before going on site. Once on site, everyone is more than happy to share their knowledge and teach you how to do your trade.”

Mount Thorley Warkworth general manager operations Mark Rodgers said: “With the support of our training partners Skilled, Coal and Allied is proud to foster apprentices and trainees, many of whom have been recognised with awards over the years.

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

“We encourage people who want to learn their trade in a safe and supportive environment to consider applying for an apprenticeship.”