Apprenticeships and Traineeship programs

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Process Traineeship

QAL offers Traineeships as an entry level position pathway into the operations teams. This traineeship is a nationally accredited course delivering a wide variety of training opportunities throughout QAL process areas in the fields of the refining process, chemical handling and plant machinery operations. 

What you will learn

QAL offers process plant traineeships to provide people with all the necessary skills, on-the-job training and safety awareness to successfully work in an operations environment. Recruits will emerge from the two-year traineeship with a nationally accredited Certificate III in Process Plant Operations. Depending on availability and performance, trainees are appointed to permanent roles as suitable vacancies arise.

Keep an eye on the current vacancies page for current opportunities.

 

  • Safe use and operation of tooling and plant equipment
  • Safety and risk management obligations and management systems
  • Process flow equipment monitoring and usage
  • Communications and team work
  • Operational routine and daily task management

Traineeships we offer

  • Process Traineeship

    Process Trainees are hired on an as needed basis on a 2-year fixed term contract. They undertake onboarding training with a Field Training Officer before commencing with their section on site, and receive further support by leaders and mentors.

  • Boiler Operator Traineeship

    Boiler Operator Trainees, similar to Process Trainees, are hired on an as needed basis on a 2-year fixed term contract. They undertake onboarding training with a Field Training Officer before commencing with their section on site, and receive further support by leaders and mentors.

Apprenticeship Program

We are committed to providing quality training to ensure a skilled and talented workforce for our future. You will learn your trade in a supportive environment with a dedicated apprentice trainer, using the best possible equipment.

Our apprentice program provides formal training in our onsite classroom and workshop. Our apprentice training facility provides fitting, welding and machining workshops solely dedicated to training first-year apprentices across both theory and practical projects, aligned with the national training plans.

The apprentice program includes topics such as safety methods and tools, basic systematic process, lockout procedures, work at heights and confined space tickets, use of hand tools, hand held power tools, welding, thermal cutting, drilling, turning, milling, lighting circuits, Ohm’s law, soldering, test & tagging electrical fundamentals, CPR, low voltage recuse, secure substation entry, fire training and participating in the WorldSkills competitions. 

Commencing in January each year the training program prepares apprentices for field placement into various site maintenance teams. Thereafter apprentices are scheduled to rotate between site maintenance teams for the remainder of their apprenticeship for on-the-job learning.

Apprentices will also attend CQUniversity for training to gain underpinning knowledge and prove competency in each training plan unit.

Apprenticeships we offer

Each year, we recruit apprentices in the fields of Fitting & Turning, and Electrical Instrumentation. We advertise annually for our apprentice program around June/July.

  • Fitting, Turning & Machining (4 year Apprenticeship)

    Required minimum subjects – Essential English and Essential Maths. Advantageous subjects: multi-strand science, Engineering Technology, Engineering Skills and Furnishing Skills   

  • Electrical / Instrumentation (5 year Apprenticeship)

    Required minimum subjects – English, Methods Maths (Maths B) and Physics or Chemistry. Advantageous subjects: Engineering Technology and/or Graphics, Engineering Skills and Furnishing Skills

Hot Tip:

While not critical, students are encouraged to complete work experience in their chosen area to determine their suitability and passion for the work of the role. Demonstrate respect, positive attitude, work hard and build your reputation now. Do your research and be prepared. Build your resume and write a cover letter presenting you and practice being interviewed.

What makes a good apprentice

We will provide the training and mentoring, you need to show the following:

  • Work Ready
    Top candidates show up to their apprenticeships ready to work with responsible behaviour and a good work ethic.
  • Organised
    Skills training is the primary purpose of an apprenticeship, so good apprentices come ready to learn.
  • Determined
    When it comes to the workplace, having a positive attitude is a necessity.
  • Detail oriented
    In highly technical fields, the smallest details can have an enormous impact on everything from health and safety to the overall quality of the finished job.
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