Mining Jobs

[grizzly]

A question to the miners amongst the Swagger family.
How would a 19 year old who wants an apprenticeship as a diesel fitter/mechanic go about finding one of the many jobs the industry sprooks about. I have a son who has been searching and is not having any luck, is their a secret hand shake or other inducement one needs to open doors other than being a foreign skilled worker.
Grizzly
and yes again the cynic in me has leaped forward

[Barrabart]

What you're doing now is how you get your young fella a start.... try everything!!
I have been in the mining industry since i was 26, am 40 now, i got a start after leaving my Mrs and 2 kids at home and heading to a mining town to do some door knocking (this was before the intergoognet thing)... anyway slept in the back of my hilux for a few weeks, carried a notebook and pen and wrote down alot of names and numbers, after a few weeks of being persistant in the right places eventually got a start as a labourer in a process plant, moved the Mrs and kids out to where i was and worked like a mongrel dog, doing whatever the f*ck i was told to do, including plenty of 24hr shifts, and fronting back up for more.......
Anyway, 15 or so years later, i'm still glad i got a foot in the door....... doing it easier now of course.
I'd still say even today, there's nothing wrong with going the extra mile and finding a few names of blokes that are supervisors, superintendants, etc, get their names and numbers and ring them, keep notes of discussions, don't over step the line though and piss them off by being annoying..... you need to show a little bit of extra go, put your name in their head.

anyway best of luck.

[Tjupurula]

Hi Grizzly
Firstly, the majority of mines will ask if the young fella has MARCSTA, which is a Mining Induction Certification basically, an can be done in just about every major city.  MARCSTA is compulsory.  A first aid certificate is compulsory, as well as a State or Federal Police clearance  Another factor would be to search sites such as Newmont, which is a major mining interest, and would have all the basic guidelines on their internet site.
Gorgon is also another mining interest, which is starting up a major project off the WA coast, and will be employing a lot of people in the very near future.
Regards
Tjupurula

[Tommo66]

Hi Grizzly
Firstly, the majority of mines will ask if the young fella has MARCSTA, which is a Mining Induction Certification basically, an can be done in just about every major city.  MARCSTA is compulsory.  A first aid certificate is compulsory, as well as a State or Federal Police clearance  Another factor would be to search sites such as Newmont, which is a major mining interest, and would have all the basic guidelines on their internet site.
Gorgon is also another mining interest, which is starting up a major project off the WA coast, and will be employing a lot of people in the very near future.
Regards
Tjupurula

If he's in NSW (which I take it, Wollongbar is), MARCSTA doesn't apply neither does the State or Fed clearance or the 1st Aid cert, Gorgon Project is gas so not a huge demand for Diesel Fitters,  the lad's not even indentured in a trade yet, so first things first.

Grizzly, I assume your location is NSW, if it is, you already know that the Hunter Valley is the closest Mining region to you, there is some smaller projects around but that's the major one, unless you live close to this area it's difficult to get your lad straight into Diesel Fitting / Heavy Equipment Fitting etc on a site.
I suggest door knocking all of the mechanical workshops within a radius that he/you are prepared to travel to each day and get him a start, get 12 months under his belt and then think about getting his apprenticeship transferred to one of the big miners or maintenance companies etc to finish off his trade.

just my 2 bobs worth, if you think he's mature enough to handle doing a 4 year app and living away from home, surviving on a 1st year apps wages etc, then maybe approach all the major miners directly and see what influx of apprentices they have available.

I'm coming up for my 14th year in the industry, major construction and maintenance on mine sites, ports, smelters and refineries, it's a rewarding game but hard on work/life balance if you're not careful, good luck.

[shanegtr]

Firstly, the majority of mines will ask if the young fella has MARCSTA, which is a Mining Induction Certification basically, an can be done in just about every major city.  MARCSTA is compulsory.  A first aid certificate is compulsory, as well as a State or Federal Police clearance

B.S on the marcsta, I'm suprised anyone still does the course to be honest, I've never done one to get on all the mine sites I've been to. First aid course is definatly favourable(for any job not just mining) to have but not copulsory. I've never needed to have a police clearance for any job.

I'd give the advice to look outside of diesel fitting as well. I originally was looking for a heavy diesel apprenticeship when I first started out. I got offered a fixed plant fitters apprenticeship first and took it - certinally dont regret that descision. I've got to play with some pretty cool gear in my time from pumps to steam turbines and very large compressors (turbine driven). It will also open up more industry options than just mining as you'll also have gas and chemical processing plants as potential workplaces.

I done my apprenticeship in chemical manufacturing(fertilisers, ammonia/ammonium nitrate, sodium cyanide and chorine), went to mining (iron ore) for a couple of years, mainly rebuilding reduction gearboxes, back to chemicals (ammonia- spent 6 yrs in this one), then back to mining to change career's and get off the tools. Im still technically in mining but with a nice office job back in the city on the reliablility side of things. I personally dont like working on the tools in mining as its dirty work with (compared to chemical/gas proccessing) rough workmanship and dropkick workers (now if that statement doesnt upset a few I dont know what will ).

[becboo]

Hastings Deering is considered to be a great starting block in Qld.  They will start posting jobs for their apprentice intake in about July.  They do all their recruiting online for all of qld. 
I worked for them in an admin role for a number of years and they were a good employer.  I do know their apprentices get paid well!!  Many deisel fitters then step from there into mining.

Try this address

http://www.catjobs.com.au/

cheers
Becboo

[Jenko67]

HAve a nephew who started an apprenticeship at Isuzu as a diesel fitter early this year with intentions on going into mining... he is only 17 so off to a good start

[Flemo]

And don't just think mining either. Construction is paying good $ at the moment to keep people away from the mines. For example close to home for him is the pacific hwy upgrade, and a fair bit of work on goldy. I'm involved with the tintenbar to ewingsdale upgrade, baulderstone are the main contractor and they are going to have so much heavy earthmoving plant it's not funny. Possibly chase up what sub contractors they are using and try that route. check baulderstone, Leighton, macmahon, and John holland all have projects reasonably close by. Rms website has details for what contractor has what project and have details of hr and employment contacts for them.

[MDSimpson]

I am in mining too, but my company does not have diesel mechanics, all our stuff is electrical.
Anyways, you can try the Cat/WesTrac facility in Tomago, their new facility is HUGE..

Try this.

http://www.westrac.com.au/careers/pages/careersApprenticeships.aspx#nsw

[BigJules]

I'll ask my mate if he has any apprenticeship's going. He has a strong diesel business is Sydney, working on mining, defense, construction and other stationary diesel engines.

[Hoyks]

I'm in Defence and quite a few from all trades have moved on to the mines. A mate of mine has done his time as a fitter mechanic and now moved onto the mines.

My suggestion would be to get an apprenticeship closer to home, do a few years and then looking at moving further afield when he is more attractive to a prospective employer. Apprentice pay is low and living in a remote mining community can be rather expensive so he will struggle.

[Semi Grey Nomands]

Xstrata coal are about to launch there campaign for the 2013 intake. It should be out Monday. Look at Xstrata.com.au then go to careers. You can also register there. I have worked for them twice.. Glad to be back. Hastingsdeering CAT and Cummins will also be looking shortly. I did my time at Cummins. Not a bad option either.. Hope this helps

[matt150]

After 22 years in the industry, I hope I can assist. I work in the Hunter Valley for a global mining company and I believe the very best path for your young fella is a plant mechanic apprenticeship with Caterpillar. I started there and worked with them for 11 years.. Onwards and upwards from there..

Trust me when I tell ya, he has alot of hours and hard work ahead of him, before he gets a run in a mining job full time. So guide him into a major OEM dealership and ensure he does his time. Both your son and you will be happy you did, in the long run.

[Symon]

Very few mines employ apprentices directly - talk to the contractors that service the mines, and also the group training companies.  You'll have more success that way.

Also remember you don't have to do an apprenticeship on mining gear to get a trade job in the mines - an apprenticeship with a non-mining industry is almost as good.

[BLKWDW]

Without starting another thread what bout adult apprenticeships. I'm trying to get out of the trucking industry or at least the interstate stuff as not being home 5-6 days a week is getting tough on the family but also cant afford to loose the money that i make which where i live only leaves mining with the ability to do that.

[4wd26]

The diesel fitter/mechanic thing is generic.

starting in the mines is difficult- especially for a young bloke leaving home for the first time (and the mines know this) they will most likely NOT start a trade on someone who is not local.

Lismore has a fair industrial background try all the civil and engineering mobs in the local area- include Ballina as they have access to the large marine based engines- has he tried all the local places for a start.  Once trade qualified he will have his pick of locations.

Would give westrac Grafton, or tweed a go or Hastings deering in Brisbane- depends how committed to his course of action is.

I started from the local area Ballina- moved to Brisbane for my degree- busted my arse to get into the industry- have been through boom and bust but have a trade to fall back on if it all goes to crap.  Now work in the mines on North Stradbroke Island, and having seen the recruitment process for apprentices up close both here and Moranbah - it is always locals first 

[grizzly]

To all the swaggers out there who replied.
 I had the young bloke check out your comments for himself and he has told me that he appreciated all the feed back and he is hopefull that a local apprenticeship will happen and he has a prospect at the moment with a local company so we will see in the next month or so where that goes, he is almost finished a cert 2 in automotive at TAFE as a kick start and this seems to fit in well with the majority of your advise, my thanks and gratitude to you who have helped
Grizzly

[huggy]

Get on westrac.com.au and keep an eye on that . If I hear when they start looking I'll pm you .

[plugger6]

My young fella has just started working in the mine camp not the mine itsef. But he hopes being there he may get a chance at a job in the mine some time it is not what you know but who . May be just a different way to do things.

[grizzly]

Swaggers
Thought I should give an update. Cameron has started an apprenticeship with Lismore Diesel Service and is very happy he wants to stay untill he finishes his apprenticeship and then see how he goes from there,again many thanks for the ideas it was greatly appreciated.
Grizzly

[4wd26]

Swaggers
Thought I should give an update. Cameron has started an apprenticeship with Lismore Diesel Service and is very happy he wants to stay untill he finishes his apprenticeship and then see how he goes from there,again many thanks for the ideas it was greatly appreciated.
Grizzly

well done that young man- congrats Cameron 

[chester ver2.0]

After 22 years in the industry, I hope I can assist. I work in the Hunter Valley for a global mining company and I believe the very best path for your young fella is a plant mechanic apprenticeship with Caterpillar. I started there and worked with them for 11 years.. Onwards and upwards from there..

Trust me when I tell ya, he has alot of hours and hard work ahead of him, before he gets a run in a mining job full time. So guide him into a major OEM dealership and ensure he does his time. Both your son and you will be happy you did, in the long run.

As above i work in the Industry here in WA we will not take first or second year apprentices it is to hard to fit the TAFE requirements in with the FIFO rosters. At the moment i would seriously have him look at the above with one of the OEM manufacturers. In WA atm mining has gone to crap with the fall in Iron Ore prices FMG have just layed off 1000 workers and it looks like BHP will follow in the near future

[peanut2]

Xstrata are reducing numbers by around 600 as well.  Low coal prices, high input costs, high AUD against USD.


Peanut

[red t ute]

Apply for every job you can in any thing to do with heavy earthmoving, truck mechanic, fitter and turner, auto sparky. Some were kids seem to miss are the digger componys like Liebherr, Hitchi, Komatus and then door nock if that doesn't work out. I still have a young blokes resume from the start of the year he was door nocking just after we put our apprentices of the year.

You don't want a apprenticeship in a Mine as a mechanic as all you will learn is how to hide and make all the Contractors do all the work from your senior Fitters.
Some of the worst mechanics I have EVER MEET WERE MINE APPRENTICES yes you mite be set for life but god help them if they need a job in the real world.