THE importance of safety in the workplace will be emphasised to Wilmar Sugar's new batch of apprentices as they complete inductions at the Proserpine mill.

Kieran Wheatley, Francis Appleton, Joshua Dobe, Daniel Hayes and Dean Hinschen, all started four-year apprenticeships at the mill last week.

The five new recruits, who have chosen fields such as diesel and instrument fitting and electrical and boiler-making trades, will now undertake several weeks of inductions before their practical training starts.

Wilmar Sugar's executive general manager for North Queensland, John Pratt, said it was important the new starters understood the various processes and procedures in place to help them stay safe.

"Our best apprentices are those who listen well, take the time to do the job properly and who place a high value on their safety and the safety of others," he said.

"We encourage our apprentices to ask lots of questions and take advantage of the opportunity to learn from the many excellent tradespeople we have employed at our mills."

At the tender age of 22, Kieran Wheatley is the oldest of this year's Proserpine recruits

"I just think it will be a bit more interesting and I want to make myself as employable as I can be," he said, when asked why he chose a diesel fitting apprenticeship at the mill.

Proserpine site manager Danny Van der Berg said this year's intake encompassed a broad spectrum of skills, which was important in an age of increased automation.

He said he hoped all the apprentices gained a good understanding of their respective trades.

"And I hope at the end of the four years they are seen as competent, valuable tradespeople who can hold their own in their industries as well as being ambassadors for the sugar industry, which does invest in training young people," he said.

Wilmar Sugar currently employs more than 150 apprentices across its eight sugar mills.

Mr Pratt said all this year's positions were strongly contested, resulting in a high calibre of successful applicants.