Batchfire welcomes next generation of resources industry leaders
Batchfire recently welcomed the latest round of work experience students to Callide Mine, with a total of 11 passionate young workers joining us to get a taste of what a career in resources can offer. We chat to some of the students to see how they’re finding things!
In addition, Batchfire also welcomed 4 Scholarship holders during the university holidays to get a taste of what they are currently studying.
“These holidays (June/July) we had 11 students from our local Biloela State High School and Redeemer Lutheran college come out to site,” said Senior Human Resources Advisor at Batchfire Resources, Kaitlyn Britton.
“The work experience students from Biloela State High School and Redeemer Lutheran College spent a week on-site, while our university scholarship recipients join us for longer holiday work periods.
“The disciplines range from diesel fitters and electricians to surveyors, software engineers, paramedics and operators. At Batchfire we like to support the local community and show the future leaders what careers in the resource sector could be across a range of roles.”
The work experience program offers students a behind-the-curtain look at what life on a mine site is like, which for many of them is the deciding factor when committing to an apprenticeship or further education. It also gives the students real-world exposure to the workforce.
“It really helps them to develop personal skills and gives the students networking opportunities. It also allows the students to explore different careers before embarking on an apprenticeship or university,” Kaitlyn said.
One work experience student giving it a red-hot go is Madison Hillier, a year 10 student at Redeemer Lutheran College interested in Environmental Science.
Madison heard about the work experience opportunity through her school, but already knew a thing or two about Callide Mine because her father, Ian, works on-site at Batchfire as a Supervisor.
In fact, Ian has been active in promoting the resources industry as a career path, recently attending a QMEA Heavy Hydraulics workshop and the Rotary Market Day to discuss the promising opportunities this industry can offer.
Our Environment and Community Advisor, Hannah Brosnan, has been showing Madison the ropes around site, although the weather rained on their parade across the week!
“We’ve been to meetings, risk assessments, and even some water testing and hydrocarbon inspections out in the field! The weather has stopped us from doing as much as we’d have liked, though,” Madison said.
Madison’s advice for students considering work experience at Callide Mine is to “take the opportunity and trust the process!”
One of our scholarship recipients, Ella Gardiner, has also been on-site undertaking health and safety duties with one of our resident paramedics, Paul Quarmby.
“As a student paramedic, I have learned much about the mining operation and the work of a paramedic,” Ella said.
“I have learnt how to complete various on-site tasks, like ensuring our crews are fit for work, assisting with incidents, and updating our equipment.
“But my favourite memory has to be getting shown around the pit and seeing how the coal is mined. I had no idea how big the equipment is, especially the dragline!”
Ella’s father also works at Batchfire, which was a huge motivation for her choice to undertake vacation work at Callide Mine.
“I’m very fortunate to have both my dad and aunty working here with Batchfire,” she said.
“Ever since I was little, I always wanted to see what it was like to work ‘at dad’s work’ in the mines.”
Like Madison, the advice from Ella is to give work experience at Callide Mine a go, because there’s something for everyone.
“I would say 110 percent, put your hand up to come out and do work experience out here!” she said.
“There is so much to learn and there is something for everyone. Whether you want to be part of the health and safety side of things or work in maintenance, production, environmental management, and so on.
“The atmosphere out here is incredible. Everyone is super friendly, supportive and willing to help you learn.”
