Tumut Apprentices: Ashton Baker (fitter), Kiera Jones (fitter) and Jack Stewart (electrician).
AKD’s 2023 apprentice intake resulted in 25 new apprentices employed across its sites. Ten of its existing apprentices completed their training and continued on with trade roles within the business. Source: Timberbiz
Overall, this brings AKD’s current number of apprentices in training up to 75, covering fitting and machining, fabrication, electrical, saw technicians and wood machinists.
In the past two years, AKD’s total apprentice numbers have increased by more than 50%. This means that one in 15 AKD employees is a trade apprentice, reinforcing AKD’s approach to train and develop its people, and to ensure trade-based skills are available for the longer term to support 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 the company calls a ‘dual trade’. This allows development opportunities for the individual, and also provides a more highly skilled and flexible workforce for AKD.
