As a leading force in Mackay’s local sugar industry, Mackay Sugar is proud to announce the successful recruitment of ten new and enthusiastic apprentices into its thriving workforce.
Mackay Sugar is already one of the largest employers in the Mackay region, employing as many as 1,000 people during the crushing season. This year’s apprentice intake marks yet another significant investment by Mackay Sugar to ensure the future of our region and industry, by fostering local talent right here in THE Sugar City.
The2024 apprentice intake highlights Mackay Sugar's commitment to act local, by helping to build a skilled workforce within Mackay that can navigate the challenges of a highly competitive, specialised and transforming sugar industry.
Spread across Mackay Sugar’s Farleigh, Marian, and Racecourse Mill sites, the ten new apprentices span three crucial trades, namely electrical, fabrication, and fitting. These trades enable Mackay Sugar to develop the diverse skill sets it needs for its operations, whilst ensuring the new apprentices still get to enjoy the benefits of going home after every shift.
Mackay Sugar’s Human Resources Manager, Heath Bonney said, "our apprentice program is seen as a critical tool to support the upskilling of our employees and succession planning for the future.
“In fact, many of our previous apprentices are still working within the business today, and some have even progressed to more senior roles throughout their career with us,” said Heath.
“At Mackay Sugar, our apprentices are rotated through different areas and Mills within our business and receive exposure to other disciplines such as Planning and Drafting whilst they’re learning their trade,” Heath explained.
“They also have the opportunity to work on personal development throughout the apprentice program, which is all aimed at assisting their personal growth and preparing them for permanent employment post their trade.”
Mackay Sugar's apprenticeship program is widely recognised as one that goes beyond skill acquisition to build lifelong pathways by developing future leaders in the sugar industry.
Mackay Sugar’s 2024 apprentices. Back Row: Left to Right – Bailey McAuliffe, Darren Matthews, Kalan Morris, Oscar Warden, Tyrone Bovey, Logan Lawson Front Row: Left to Right – Joel McFarlane, Ashlee Turton, Amy Turner, Aurora Lenord-Selmes. Photo supplied
