Apprenticeship Program
About Apprenticeship Program
Mackay Sugar has a proven history of successfully preparing apprentices for their chosen trade. We proudly welcome approximately 10 new apprentices into our business every year, offering apprenticeships in the Electrical, Fitting and Fabrication trades within our maintenance and potentially, operations teams.
As a Mackay Sugar Apprentice, you will also be supported throughout the program by our large pool of long-term employees, many of whom have been with our business for more than 35 years and several who started their careers with Mackay Sugar as apprentices themselves.
Our Apprentice Program is highly regarded in the sugar industry for producing well-rounded, qualified, and values-based tradespeople who have the necessary skills and knowledge they need to grow and develop in their chosen field. We do this by engaging the invaluable knowledge and guidance of our Apprentice Supervisors and Apprentice Masters, who provide hands-on training and development for apprentices within the fast-paced and complex environments of our operational milling plants.
“Many people had told me that you get so much experience at Mackay Sugar, working with both old and new machinery and a wide variety of tooling equipment with plenty of job diversity, and they were right.”
“I started my career with an apprenticeship at Mackay Sugar and I haven’t looked back in over 11 years. The people here are great and there are so many opportunities for people who want to make the most of them.”
Apprenticeships on Offer
Our 2026 Intake offers the following apprenticeships:
Fabrication Trade - Boilermaker
Mechanical Trade - Fitter & Turner
Mechanical Trade - Machinist
Mechanical Trade - Fitter (Rolling Stock)
Electrotechnology Electrician
All Apprenticeships will be based at one of our Mackay Sugar Sites. Racecourse, Farleigh, and Marian.
2026 Apprentice Program
Nationally Accredited trades Certificates being offered will include:
Boilermaker
Cert III in Engineering – Fabrication
Electrician
Cert III Electrotechnology Electrician
Fitter and Turner
Cert III in Engineering Mechanical (Fitting/Machining)
Machinist
Cert III in Engineering Mechanical (Machining)
Fitter (Rollingstock)
Cert III in Engineering Mechanical (Fitting)
Eligibility
You will have a genuine interest in pursuing a career in your chosen trade and be willing to commit to the four (4) year structured learning program. You will also bring the following skills, attributes and demonstrated training to an apprenticeship.
You will be a person who:
Brings a positive attitude and thrive in team settings
Are passionate about learning, improving, and making a difference
The ability and willingness to work safely and efficiently within a team environment.
A current and valid Australian Driver’s License.
Demonstrated work experience or previous studies in your chosen trade
Completing Grade 12 in 2025 with a minimum sound achievement in both English and Mathematics. (Electrical – requires Maths Methods / High results in Maths)
Experience working in an industrial or maintenance environment and have basic hand tool competency and adequate mechanical aptitude
Excellent listening, comprehension, and communication skills
2026 Apprentice Program
Recruitment Process
At Mackay Sugar, we are committed to selecting the best candidates for our Apprentice Program through a comprehensive and fair recruitment process. The selection stages are designed to assess both technical aptitude and personal suitability for a career in the sugar industry.
On average, we produce about 700,000 tonnes of raw sugar each year - we are experts on sugar and on all aspects of sugar cane cultivation, and we know everything there is to know about raw sugar and its by-products: from production and management, right through to its characteristics and potential uses.
1. Application & Resume Screening
All submitted applications and resumes will be carefully reviewed to ensure candidates meet the minimum eligibility criteria, including education requirements, relevant interests, and career goals. This helps us identify individuals with the potential to thrive in our hands-on, team-oriented environment.
2. Aptitude Testing
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to undertake a series of aptitude tests. These assessments are designed to measure key skills relevant to trade roles, such as numerical reasoning, mechanical comprehension, problem-solving, and literacy.
3. Interviews
Candidates who perform well in aptitude testing will progress to the interview stage. Interviews may be conducted in-person or via video and are an opportunity for applicants to demonstrate their enthusiasm, communication skills, and understanding of the apprentice role. Interview panels typically include members of our HR team and experienced trade professionals.
4. School Results Review
Academic records will be reviewed to gain insight into each candidate’s educational performance and work ethic. While strong results in STEM subjects are an advantage, we also consider effort, consistency, and improvement over time.
5. Reference Checks
We will conduct reference checks with teachers, employers, or mentors to confirm candidate suitability and gain further understanding of their reliability, attitude, and teamwork capabilities.
How to Apply
You will be asked to:
1.
Upload your cover letter and resume
2.
Upload copies of the last two (2) years of School reports, TAFE or University results
3.
Evidence of work-related training (for mature-age candidates).
You will be informed of your progress throughout the selection process.
