Alcoa apprentices celebrate end of education with Waroona and Harvey locals a standout

Four years of hard work has paid off for 28 Alcoa apprentices who celebrated the end of their education and training last week.

The latest cohort from Alcoa’s mines and refineries graduated with six stepping into full careers in the mining industry after gaining trade qualifications in heavy diesel and mechanical fitting, fabrication, and electrical instrumentation.

Among the 2024 graduates were three locals who completed their training at Alcoa’s Wagerup Alumina Refinery and Willowdale Bauxite Mine.

Graduate heavy diesel mechanic Lucas Pratt, of Harvey, was named Willowdale’s Apprentice of the Year.

He said working alongside the tradespeople and supervisors at Willowdale helped him through his learning journey and he owed thanks to his parents.

Electrical instrumentation technician graduate Jack Oakley, of Lake Clifton, was named Wagerup’s Apprentice of the Year after following in his father’s footsteps who completed the same apprenticeship with Alcoa in 1980.

Mr Oakley said learning the technical skills required to work in the complex refinery environment and developing communication skills were the most valuable aspects of his apprenticeship.

“The further I got into my apprenticeship, the more I found that my communications skills improved,” he said.

“I found I could talk with more confidence and liaise with other departments about jobs.”

Harvey mechanical fitting apprentice Zoe Blechynden earned the safety award from the Wagerup refinery.

She said being recognised along the way provided inspiration, including her Apprentice of the Month award during her second year and getting a “You Make a Difference” award during her third year.

“But I want to say a special thanks to all the people who helped me along the way, showing me the dos and don’ts and everything in between.,” she said.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Alcoa Australia vice-president of operations Elsabe Muller said the graduating group should use their apprentice training to full advantage.

“The skills you have learned to date are a wonderful foundation on which to build long, rewarding and very diverse careers in a sector that can take you just about anywhere,” she said.

“The resources sector is one of a limited number of industries that offers opportunities to work around the world, to diversify your skills across commodities, to gain experience across multiple vocational areas, and to be involved in some of the most innovative and exciting opportunities available anywhere.”

This year’s graduates bring the overall number of trainees and apprentices trained by the alumina producer to around 2700 since Alcoa began its Australian operations in 1963.