YOUNG women keen to take on a trade have been given an insight into what it's like to work for Australia's largest sugar manufacturer in North Queensland.
Wilmar Sugar Australia held their inaugural young women in trades event on the Burdekin this month, with 13 students from Ayr State High School given a tour of the Pioneer Mill.
The senior students, who are in years 10 to 12, are among those being encouraged for an apprenticeship with Wilmar Sugar next year, with 33 positions up for grabs.
Wilmar training and development manager Scott Young said the student's tour was organised for young women with an interest in becoming a tradesperson to find out about what Wilmar offered and the type of work that apprentices and tradespeople do in sugar mills.
"It was a really great experience for the girls to see exactly what the different trades do on a daily basis and to see other apprentices completing projects in the workshops," Mr Young said.
"The girls got an insight into the boilermaking and fitting and turning trades, as well as the lab processes.
"They also heard from one of our female tradespeople who previously attended Ayr State High School, and had a full tour of Pioneer Mill."
Year 10 students Kahlee Lennox and Lauren Kmet came to the event to learn more about being a Wilmar apprentice.
"I've attended the day to keep my career options open after high school because at the moment I'm seriously considering what career paths are available," Kahlee said.
"I'm currently thinking of doing an apprenticeship or studying nursing.
"I also have a few family members who work at the mill and they all love working there.
"The day has given me great insight into what they do for a living."
Lauren said she was seriously considering a career as a boilermaker.
"I think it would be a really interesting career choice that could take me to a lot of different places," she said.
Mr Young said he hoped some of the students who attended the young women in trades event would apply for an apprenticeship with Wilmar when they left school.
Wilmar's 2020 intake of apprentices, will work across its eight raw sugar mills and Sarina BioEthanol Distillery.
Applications for the positions close on Sunday, August 4.
To apply visit https://www.wilmarsugarmills.com.au/
