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Blue Dog Training has recently inducted 12 first year engineering apprentices who are employed by Queensland Alumina Limited. QAL commenced in March 1967 with an annual production rate of 600,000 tonnes of alumina. Today QAL is one of the world’s largest alumina refineries, producing some 3.95 million tonnes of the world’s best smelter grade alumina per year. Estimated replacement value of QAL is approximately US$4 billion. QAL operates with an average workforce of 1050 employees, and some 300 plus contractors which varies with workload. The refinery covers 80 hectares of a 3050 hectare site on the south-east outskirts of the city of Gladstone.

Grant Mills the Engineering Training Manager at Blue Dog Training was very impressed with the 12 new apprentices who were highly motivated and ready to tackle all of the exciting challenges that lie ahead in their apprenticeships. QAL has a strong, well developed training culture. QAL recognise and value their employees and consider them their most important stakeholder. Such a philosophy means that apprentices are well supported throughout their apprenticeship with a focus on quality outcomes.

QAL is committed to becoming an employer of choice, within Central Queensland and beyond, and is continuously investing both time and money in projects that improve its employee development processes. For this reason they have chosen Blue Dog Training as their preferred supplier of engineering training. QAL were attracted by Blue Dog’s commitment to outstanding customer service, quality of resources and trainers. The flexibility of the Blue Dog Training systems means that QAL’s apprentices receive high quality training when best suits both the apprentice and the business. Additionally QAL have been impressed with the electronic training plan which is customized for each apprentice and always current.

As one of the State’s largest apprentice employers, QAL is committed to providing quality apprentice training to ensure a skilled workforce for the future. QAL believes that employing apprentices is of long-term benefit for both QAL and the Gladstone community – it not only provides young people in Gladstone region with solid employment, but also ensures QAL a future of skilled workers, which is necessary for growth. The 12 first year QAL engineering apprentices have a promising future ahead with the support of their employer and the training expertise of Blue Dog all working together for quality outcomes.

Pictured are QAL Representatives Greg Thompson, Jeff Breadsell, Bob Emslie and Brad Richardson, with Blue Dog Engineering Training Manager Grant Mills and Director Brad Deas at the recent induction in Gladstone.