Early career development opportunities open to applicants

The sought-after apprenticeships and traineeship being advertised by Southern Ports will provide early-career development without having to leave Esperance.

Southern Ports Chief Executive Officer Keith Wilks said nurturing local talent was a way for the port authority to enrich its regions as a high-performance organisation.

“As a leading employer in Esperance we know that workplace learning opportunities are an invaluable way of upskilling our community to have a lasting impact,” he said.

“We’ve supported over 30 apprentices and trainees over the last decade because they are not only an investment into the future of our own workforce, they are an investment into our communities.”

“These early career development opportunities are not only great for our apprentices and trainees, they are also a way of introducing new knowledge into our organisation.”

Applications are being called for from aspiring boilermakers, electricians and mechanical fitters.

The three apprenticeships are in addition to the five apprentices already employed at the Port.

Apprentice Boilermaker Logan Brown grew up in Esperance and is in the third year of his apprenticeship.

He said the port had been “a great fit” for him and that he enjoyed the opportunity to earn while he learned.

“I wanted to be a boilermaker because I always enjoyed doing fabrication work with my dad on speedway cars, when the apprenticeship came up it was a chance I jumped at,” he said.

“My apprenticeship has not only taught me some invaluable skills, it has also allowed me to build some great relationships with my colleague at the Port.

“I also just love working by the water every day – that’s not something I’d get completing my apprenticeship elsewhere.”

Apprentice Logan Brown at the Port of Esperance 

Applications are also open for the Port’s Business Administration Trainee position, which similarly provides opportunities for workplace learning while completing a Certificate in Business Administration.

Emma Sticken has recently moved in an Office Coordinator position at Southern Ports having just completed her Business Administration Traineeship.

She said she enjoyed the fact she was trusted with real responsibility right from the start while receiving great support from the team around her.

“Southern Ports has provided me personal and professional development opportunities I don’t think I would have gotten elsewhere,” she said.

“Before my traineeship I had considered a move to Perth, but the role allowed me to stay in my hometown while developing valuable skills, gaining a nationally recognised qualification, and building my career.

“Being able to learn on the job while remaining close to family and friends made the opportunity even more valuable.”

Visit the Early Careers page to learn more about the roles and apply before Friday 2 October.

Former Business Administration Trainee turned Office Coordinator Emma Sticken