Media Release

Solid Energy creates Apprenticeship Opportunities

Eight apprenticeships are on offer with coal producer and distributor, Solid Energy New Zealand Ltd.

The apprenticeship programme will give successful applicants on-the-job training leading to a national qualification in electrotechnology (electrical) or maintenance and diagnostics (engineering) as well as extractive industries (mining) qualifications.

Apprentices will be located at Solid Energy's South Island sites including Strongman underground mine near Greymouth, Wairaki underground mine at Ohai in Southland and at Ngakawau, north of Westport, the company's rail terminal and base for the aerial ropeway which transports coal down from the opencast mine on the Stockton plateau. The four level, 6000 hour fixed term apprenticeships require on-the-job experience and completion of unit standards at each level of training. Solid Energy is advertising the apprenticeships in South Island newspapers and through high schools local to its sites.

Dr Don Elder, Solid Energy Chief Executive Officer, comments: "Over the next five years Solid Energy needs to double production to meet increasing demands for coal both from international markets and within New Zealand. To achieve this we need to open new mines and to do that we must have a trained and highly skilled workforce. Initiatives like this help to ensure that we give young people the opportunity to enter the mining industry and to receive the training and skills now required in an industry increasingly reliant on highly sophisticated technology. It underlines our commitment to our local communities and to the future of the mining industry in New Zealand."