In his old man’s footsteps
SAM Young's old man was a boilermaker.
Earlier this month he followed in his dad's footsteps and signed on at Wilmar's Proserpine sugar mill.
"We always had gear around at home and that's how I got into it," he said.
He was one of three apprentices the company took on in March - an electrician, a diesel fitter and a fitter and turner also joined the fold.
Wilmar Sugar's Tina Klekar said high unemployment meant the 28 apprenticeships on offer across their eight mills were fiercely contested.
"We received more than 660 applications for the positions," Ms Klekar said
"We were very impressed with the standard of applicants.
"The 28 successful candidates represent the best talent from across all regions."
Sam said he was happy to get a start in the industry and to be working with "good blokes".
"Yeah, I am definitely pretty keen to see where it can get me."
But at the moment Sam said they had him repairing and welding.
He said he travelled to Mackay once every couple of months to do TAFE classes where he will do theory that can't be learned on the job.
Of the group, 13 apprentices are based at Burdekin mills, seven are in the Herbert, four at Proserpine Mill, two at Plane Creek Mill and two at the Sarina Distillery.
