A handful of Mandurah and Peel residents are among 24 young people to have completed an apprenticeship with Alcoa across WA this year.
The Pinjarra refinery is a major employer in the region, with a number of graduates getting the opportunity to learn the tricks of the trade at the facility over a four-year apprentice program.
Alcoa of Australia chairman and managing director Michael Parker said the company was proud of its history and committed to continuing to train generations of skilled tradespeople.
“These young people are the future of our company, our industry and our communities,” he said.
“We expect that our apprentices will stand out in their fields through the care and training they have received at Alcoa.
“We want everyone to know that tradespeople who are trained at Alcoa are not only highly skilled, but they are safe workers. Workers who are adaptable and who bring a positive attitude which delivers excellence, acts with integrity and cares for their colleagues.”
The annual apprentice graduation took place on Tuesday, October 30.
Dudley Park resident Bradley Starr was also awarded the Alcoa Safety Award for Pinjarra Refinery.
“The stand out memory for me over the last few years is seeing how far I’ve grown,” he said.
“I started off as young, pretty green 17-year-old straight from high school and now I’ve become a tradesman and I’m watching all the new apprentices start off like I did.”