2020 Apprentice Intake

Record number of Applicants for the for 2020 apprenticeship program

Hastings Deering was swamped with a record 2177 applications for its 2020 apprentice intake after closing applications on August 5th 2019.

Applications for 75 positions, opened in July for four weeks, with over 1000 applications in the first week alone.

This 2020 total is an increase of nearly 30% on the 2019 apprentice intake application figures. The majority of applications came from Mackay, 660 followed by Brisbane with 657 then Rockhampton with 309. Diesel fitter positions for Brisbane and Mackay were the highest by application. In fact, diesel fitting was the most popular apprenticeship with nearly 1400 of the applicants applying for this trade.

The breakdown of applicants included 35% from mature age, females made up 13% of applications, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders accounting for 12% while almost 4% of applicants were already employed by Hastings Deering.

Hastings Deering’s General Manager-People and External Affairs Vincent Cosgrove said the company set to improve flexibility and inclusion within its workforce which was included as a driver for the 2020 apprenticeship recruitment.

“We are pleased this has resonated with job seekers with this record number of applications,” Mr Cosgrove said. “Successful applicants will learn about the repair, servicing and maintenance of a massive range of Caterpillar equipment, engines and power systems.

“They'll be rotated through various departments, including the Engine, Drivetrain, Equipment Assembly, Weld Shop, Fuel Pump Test Cell and On-Highway Truck workshops, so at the end of their training they'll be a qualified Caterpillar expert with a nationally recognised trade qualification.”