August 5, 2013
Tarong Power Station site manager Dennis Franklin has personally reassured more than 20 apprentices and trainees that Stanwell is committed to completing their training.
Mr Franklin spoke to the apprentices and trainees at a meeting at the power station late last week after Stanwell announced it was suspending next year’s apprenticeship intake due to the extremely difficult business conditions for power stations.
“Tarong Power Station is committed to completing the training of these young people, who are given excellent training and support by Stanwell,” Mr Franklin said.
“It was a very hard decision for Stanwell to suspend our 2014 intake but it will not affect apprentices and trainees already at Tarong.”
Mr Franklin said Stanwell would be rightly criticised if it took on new apprentices and trainees after announcing that 58 roles would be made redundant at Tarong Power Station.
“Is anyone seriously suggesting that we make more permanent Tarong positions redundant so we can take on new apprentices – that just doesn’t make sense,” he said.
Stanwell currently has 49 apprentices and trainees statewide, including 27 at Tarong Power Station.
“We are committed to the training and development of future generations of young South Burnett people who want to be involved in heavy industry,” Mr Franklin said.
“We will continue to assess our workforce requirements on an annual basis and requirements for apprentices and trainees will be a key part of that process.”
[Photo: Stanwell Corporation]
