Bravus and MacKellar to offer paid traineeships

Bravus Mining and Resources, with mining serviced contractor MacKellar, is offering an opportunity for new-to-industry recruits to take on a paid haul-truck traineeship.

“Since we kicked off construction in June 2019, we have been taking expressions of interest for greenskins, that is people who have never worked in the industry before, and we’re at the point where we’re ready to welcome them on board,” Bravus chief executive officer David Boshoff said.

“Through our mining services contractor MacKellar, we’re offering a paid, structured training program for regional Queenslanders wanting to give coal mining a crack.

“Our team has been sifting through thousands of applications and we’re set to have our first intake of trainees competent and confident to jump in a haul truck early in the new year.”

Boshoff said it had always been the company’s intention to provide job opportunities for all regional Queenslanders interested in getting a start in the resources sector.

“Through construction of our mine and rail project, we’re proud to have been able to put 2600-plus people in work and keep contractors going throughout the COVID-19 pandemic with more than $1 billion paid directly to regional Queensland businesses,” he said.

“We have recently recruited a further 280 experienced workers across disciplines including haul truck drivers, maintenance workers and other trade and operational roles with more to come online soon.

“Onsite jobs will continue to operate as FIFO roles from our primary recruitment hubs of Rockhampton and Townsville. We will also be drawing from other central and north Queensland regions including Clermont, Moranbah, Emerald and Charters Towers.”

Bravus is on track to export first coal in 2021.