Change of career a smart move for local apprentice

3 November 2011

Mobil Altona Refinery proudly congratulates one of its top apprentices, Clint James, on winning the Best in Trade – Utilities Award at the recent Apprenticeship Group Australia Annual Awards ceremony.

Clint was recognised for his enthusiasm, attention to detail, strong technical capacity and hunger for knowledge. It was this keen desire to continue learning that first drove Clint to make a brave move and change careers to take up the apprenticeship at Mobil Altona Refinery.

“I strongly believe that it’s very important to always be learning and developing,” said Clint.

“Having worked as an electrician for 10 years, it certainly was a little difficult to explain to my family and friends at the beginning of last year that I wanted to change direction and start an apprenticeship at the Altona Refinery.

“Opportunities with large corporations like Mobil come by only once in a lifetime, so I jumped at the chance to work at the Altona Refinery. Winning this award shows everyone that I have definitely made the right decision for my career.”

Mobil Operations Training Coordinator Ivo Havard said Clint’s award was well-deserved. “His great enthusiasm and can-do attitude make Clint a role model for other apprentices and his participation in various projects is sought by many of the Refinery’s engineers.”

Each year, Mobil hosts five new plant operation apprentices at the Altona Refinery who are employed through the Apprenticeships Australia Group.

“Just like a lot of other workplaces in Australia today, we are faced with finding ways to manage a baby boomer generation of workers who are expected to retire over the next few years,” said Glenn Henson, Manager, Mobil Altona Refinery.

“Our two year training program, now in its fifth year and regulated under Australian Qualification standards, ensures that Plant Operators of the highest quality are entering the Altona Refinery workforce.”

Mobil and Apprenticeship Group Australia are planning to advertise the next intake of apprentices for the Altona Refinery in January 2012.Next year’s intake will be the sixth group of apprentices employed through this program at the Altona Refinery.

The apprentices go through a two-year traineeship where they rotate through different workgroups across the Refinery to gain a broad understanding of the business and undertake tertiary education in the form of the nationally recognised Plant Operators Certificate.

Mobil Altona Refinery employs more than 350 people, around 40% of whom live in nearby suburbs.

Apprenticeship Group Australia employs and trains over 1100 young people. Around 45 apprentices and trainees were honoured at this year’s awards on 5 October 2011.

Mobil Refining Australia Pty Ltd (“Mobil”) is a subsidiary of ExxonMobil Australia Pty Ltd.

Mobil Altona Refinery facts:

• Producer of fuel for Australia since 1954.
• Supplies half of Victoria’s petroleum fuel needs.
• Produces around 12 million litres of refined products per day, enough to fill 300,000 cars.
• Supports local schools, hospitals, environmental projects and community organisations.
  

Media Enquiries:  Melanie Saliba ph: 0467 801 719

Photo opportunity available on request.