Training tradies is a major focus at Isis Central Sugar Mill and it’s paying off with Isis apprentices being recognised in trades training awards and competitions.
Just last week, two apprentices took out first and second place in the World Skills Competition for boilermaker apprentices.
Isis Central Sugar Mill workshop supervisor Damian Johnson said Saxon Pharoah, third year apprentice, and Declan Flynn, fourth year apprentice, were selected by TAFE to compete for the Wide Bay District from a total of 40 apprentices and six selected finalists.
“Both Saxon and Declan were up against other talented third and fourth year apprentices in the World Skill Competition which is held every second year.
“We are so proud that the two of them came first and second. It’s extremely important to have that kind of recognition of the skills our apprentices have.
It’s a huge morale booster,” Damian said.
Since its inception in 2009, the World Skills Competition has seen 17 Isis Mill boilermaker apprentices nominated to compete with six of them taking home first prize over those 15 years.
“We have one supervisor and eight boilermaker tradesmen at the Mill and it reflects on all of these senior staff because the supervision they give our apprentices is clearly very good quality and the mentoring these young guys receive is paying off.
“We are all extremely proud of them to achieve at this level,” Damian said.
2024 winner Saxon Pharoah said it was a real morale booster to win the competition.
“I’m ecstatic. I love working here at the Mill. There’s never the same stuff every day. It’s different and interesting,” Saxon said.
Saxon hasn’t just been trained and mentored by Isis Mill boilermakers.
His father was a boilermaker and he’s been helping Saxon since he was 11 years old.
The Mill has 24 apprentices across a multitude of trades including boilermaking, electrical, diesel mechanics and fitters and turners.
Isis Mill chief executive officer Craig Wood said the mill was keen to prioritise taking on apprentices to ensure young people have the opportunities to become tradespeople.
“The Mill wants to attract, train and retain young people because they are the future of our business.
“We also have seriously talented tradespeople who have decades of experience that they are keen to share with young people who are keen to work and learn in this business,” Mr Wood said.
