GFG Alliance's steel business, Liberty Primary Steel, has continued to reap the benefits of its re-energised apprenticeship program, welcoming 21 new apprentices to the business at the Middleback Arts Centre on Friday.
The class of 2021 includes 5 more apprentices than last year, with the company aiming to sure up Whyalla's skilled workforce ahead of Sanjeev Gupta's big plans for the Cultana Solar Farm and Whyalla Steelworks upgrades.
Advertisement
Innovation and Skills Minister David Pisoni, Giles MP Eddie Hughes and Whyalla Mayor Clare McLaughlin were among those who attended the ceremony.
Minister Pisoni also met 38 apprentices working on the Marshall Government's $100 million Whyalla Secondary College that will house 1500 students when complete.
"The Marshall Government is investing an additional $200 million in skills training in South Australia and it's fantastic to see that investment helping young South Australians get a job and learn skills that will serve them well for the rest of their working life," he said.
"The economic revitalisation of Whyalla through the investment GFG Alliance and other businesses in concert with the State Government's commitment is a great news story.
"The Marshall Government understands the importance of regional South Australia to the economy and committed to enhancing opportunities throughout the state.
"Across regional South Australia more than 2,570 apprentices and trainees have commenced a paid learning pathway to a career since March last year."
Liberty Primary Steel Director of Human Resources Mark Wakelin said the company's trade capability had been depleted in recent years but it was great to see a rebound in 2021.
"GFG's long term view for transforming the Whyalla Steelworks has been really important to signal to the community that we are investing in the future," he said.
"With our apprenticeship program we've invested in the specific roles, the Apprenticeship Discipline Lead roles, that now provide the type or rigour and supervision you need to build a professional apprenticeship program."
Mr Wakelin said skills like those that the apprentices will develop 'don't grow on trees' and would be very valuable in the future as GFG Alliance moves forward with major projects.
"We have to be investing in those pipelines now, when those projects come on and our existing tradespeople come off we'll need those skills," he said.
