Diesel and dust: Karratha apprentices forging a career in the trades

National Group’s apprenticeship program providing more opportunities.

Brodie Dewacht developed a love for engines during his childhood. He helped his uncle maintain sprint cars and rebuilt motorbikes for motocross racing.

Today, Brodie works on giant mining equipment as part of his apprenticeship through National Group’s Karratha workshop in Western Australia.

“It’s a pretty cool job,” says Brodie. “I’ve been around engines since I was nine and spent a lot of time at speedways and racing motocross. Now I get to work on big dump trucks, dozers, graders, water carts and other mining equipment.”

Born and bred in Karratha, Brodie is part of National Group’s successful apprenticeship program. Launched in 2020, the apprenticeship program is designed to train more diesel mechanics internally and harness National Group’s skills and reputation as a leading maintenance provider in its field.

The first cohort of apprenticeships from the program graduate this year. National Group is recruiting more apprentices and expanding the program to respond to rising demand for its services and industry shortages of diesel mechanics. The company sees the apprenticeship program an integral part of its future.

Brodie is in the second year of his diesel mechanic apprenticeship. “I’m learning from some of the best maintenance people in the business,” he says. “As I get further into my apprenticeship, I’d like to move from the workshop to mine sites.”

As part of his apprenticeship, Brodie travels to Perth each year for block training at TAFE. Longer term, he is considering doing a second apprenticeship as an auto electrician after he graduates as a diesel mechanic.

The 21-year-old is grateful for the opportunity at National Group. At high school, he did work experience at National Group and later joined its apprenticeship program. “National Group has been really supportive. It’s a good place to learn if you want to be a diesel mechanic and there’s lots of opportunities in mining.”

From the workshop to mine sites

Brodie’s colleague, Riley Monks, is in the final year of his diesel-mechanic apprenticeship at National Group. He was among the first group of apprentices in the program, having joined National Group in late 2020.

Having spent the early part of his apprenticeship at Karratha, Riley has spent time at several mines in the Pilbara for National Group. Much of his work involves servicing equipment, as part of routine maintenance schedules.

Riley recalls learning how to remove a large bucket and lift cylinders, and change the pin on a Caterpillar 992 wheel loader. “These components weigh hundreds of kilos, so you’re working with very large and challenging equipment.”

The 19-year-old will soon complete his last training block at TAFE, but enjoys on-the-job learning the most. “You get to learn from a lot of maintenance people at National Group and see how different mechanics approach different problems. There’s always new equipment, fresh faces and new challenges to work on.”

Born in Perth, Riley hopes to travel for work in coming years, experiencing new locations and mine sites. With its expanding operations around Australia, National Group is providing more opportunity for employees who want to travel.

“I’d like to use my qualification as a diesel mechanic to work on the East Coast one day and travel around the country,” he says. “I want to see how other mine sites operate and keep building my experience at skills through National Group.”

• To learn more about career opportunities at National Group, visit www.nationalgroupjobs.com/Vacancies/