1 in 15 AKD employees are apprentices

The 2023 intake for AKD resulted in another 25 new apprentices employed across their sites. 10 of their existing apprentices completed their training and continued on with trade roles within the business. Overall, this brings the current number of apprentices in training up to 75, covering Fitting and Machining, Fabrication, Electrical, Saw Technicians and Wood Machinists.

In the past 2 years, the total apprentice numbers have increased by over 50%. This means that 1 in 15 AKD employees are trade apprentices, reinforcing AKD’s approach to train and develop its people, and to ensure trade-based skills are available for the longer term to support our sawmilling operations.

This year, 65% of the apprentices engaged were from internal appointments from people that were already employed by AKD. This is the highest number since the start of the program. This shows the company’s desire to create internal pathway opportunities and offer development opportunities for all employees.

This year AKD also had two employees begin to undertake a second trade, what’s called a ‘Dual Trade’. This allows development opportunities for the individual, and also provides a more highly skilled and flexible workforce for AKD. AKD supports both Yarram’s Justin Barron, Fabricator learning Fitting and Colac’s Hayden Thompson, Diesel Mechanic learning Fitting, on their ongoing development.

Photo: Oberon Apprentices, Justin Hollis (Electrician), Jie Baird (Fitter) and Jason Drury (Electrician)

Source: AKD