Jason Cullen: Mining Apprentice Coordinator

Making a difference to the future of Mining Name: Jason Cullen
Age: 34
Employer: Macmahon Contractors
Industry: Mineral Resources

Jason Cullen has a big job. He looks after more than 100 apprentices for mining and civil construction company Macmahon Holdings. With his trade background as a mechanic in the Army, Jason made the switch to training. He loves making a difference to young people's lives.

When Jason Cullen started in his job as Apprentice Coordinator for Macmahon three years ago there were only 33 apprentices. Today there are over 100. He has helped the program expand and one of his main priorities is to ensure every apprentice is happy throughout their training period and retained by the company.

"One of the first things I did was implement a standard way of aptitude testing for the recruitment process," he explains.

"It is my role to travel around to all the different sites around the country, doing testing and interviews, and working out where each apprentice or trainee is best placed, be it as a Mechanic, Boilermaker or Electrical."

Trade Innovations
Jason helped set up a new Indigenous Trainee program so that young Indigenous Australians could spend 12 months rotating through the various trades and mine sites throughout the country.

"My trade background is absolutely essential to my job. Without it, I wouldn't understand a lot of the processes involved in training."

Jason has also introduced a number of innovative new schemes, such as Parent Information nights and taking the apprentices to Royal Perth Hospital each year to the Rehabilitation ward, so they can see what will happen first hand if they lose their license.

"It's about really looking after them and their welfare. A lot of these apprentices are teenage boys so it's also about letting their parents know why they should send them to work with us."

Beyond the call
However Jason's role extends far beyond job training. He acts as a mentor and support to all the apprentices and assists them with anything that will be of benefit to their future. He tells me that even if the phone rings at 5am, he will answer it.

"It might be anything from them helping them save money, to moving rooms, to assisting them with their TAFE studies."

In fact, his hard work and innovation has paid off many apprentices being retained my Macmahon and even going on to become supervisors. Jason's efforts have also helped win the company Minister's Award for Excellence for Employers of Australian Apprentices 2006, a feat he is extremely proud of.

Trade background
Jason grew up in country NSW and spent 13 years as a mechanic in the army. The job took him to Sydney, Perth and all over the world.

"I basically looked after all the different military vehicles and even spent the last five years with the SAS so got to travel extensively."

After Jason got injured he decided to move into training and started with Caterpillar, the construction equipment company, before moving to Macmahon.

"I was able to put my trade skills to work but without being a tradesman."

Jason says the biggest thing about his work is that the whole company is interested in apprentices, from the CEO down.

"It's the way of the future. You can bring in people from overseas but that is not going to solve the problem, but growing and nurturing your own talent will."

Best part?
The satisfaction of seeing the apprentices happy and them becoming successful men and women.

Hardest part?
The hardest part of my job is having to sack someone. Even when you have done everything you can to try and help them. Luckilly, I've only ever had to do it once. It's why we try so hard to get the placement right in the first place.

Greatest achievement?
Winning the federal awards last year. Even though we've always had apprentices the awards showed everyone how good it is and confirmed that we are doing the right thing.

What qualities make a good mining apprentice?
You need to have an interest in the work.

Advice?
Find out about it and the companies you want to work for. See if you can go and visit and do work experience.