A first-year apprentice at Wilmar’s Pioneer Mill is one of the fresh faces of a campaign to promote jobs in Queensland’s sugar industry. Meet Jorja.
Jorja Grabs, a budding fitter and turner at Pioneer Mill, said she was inspired by her older sister who is an electrical apprentice at the factory and is looking forward to playing a role in the upcoming crush harvest.
“Something that definitely makes me proud … is after you have finished your jobs in the workshop, getting to see those put into the factory and just to know that you have helped out to make everything run and for everything to go forward for the crush season.”
Jorja Grabs, a budding fitter and turner at Pioneer Mill in the Burdekin. Picture: Supplied
Damon Marbelli, a fourth-year electrical apprentice at Victoria Mill, Herbert River. Picture: Supplied
The Australian Sugar Milling Council has launched the digital campaign to coincide with the start of the annual sugarcane harvest.
The campaign includes a series of videos and profiles featuring eight apprentices from Queensland sugar mills, including Tully Sugar, Wilmar Sugar Australia’s Victoria Mill (Herbert River) and Pioneer Mill (Brandon), Mackay Sugar and Isis Central Sugar (Bundaberg).
Damon Marbelli, a fourth-year electrical apprentice at Victoria Mill, Hinchinbrook, applied for a job after finishing work experience, saying he felt the variety of work would help him become a solid tradesman.
“There’s a variety of work that we get to see here at the factory, from capital jobs to just little maintenance jobs during the season.”
Australian Sugar Milling Council (ASMC) CEO Rachele Sheard said the sugar industry supported more than 19,000 jobs and injected $3.8bn into the Queensland economy. Picture: Supplied
ASMC CEO Rachele Sheard said the sugar industry supported more than 19,000 jobs and injected $3.8bn into the Queensland economy.
“The sugar-manufacturing sector is part of the economic fabric of regional Queensland communities and offers attractive and skilled career pathways,” she said.
“This campaign puts a face to our apprentices and highlights the important role the factories play in providing training and career opportunities, financial security and a great lifestyle in regional Queensland.”
Damon Marbelli, a fourth-year electrical apprentice at Victoria Mill, Herbert River. Picture: Supplied
Skills and Training Minister Brendan O’Connor said the next generation of skilled workers was vital to support the future of the sector.
“An apprenticeship in the sugar sector can lead to a rewarding, secure and well-paid job in a vital Australian industry.”
Ms Sheard said diversified sources of employment and investment had never been more important for regional communities.
“Not only do our sugar factories offer rewarding career pathways and financial security to regional Queenslanders and their communities locally, but we are a progressive, future-focused sector that will make a significant contribution to our state’s renewable energy agenda over the next decade.”
Visit www.asmc.com.au for more information.