At Nudge, we don’t always get the chance to showcase the amazing young people we support. We’d like to introduce Jordan Mogridge, a Surface extraction trainee with MACA, and get to know a bit more about him and how this opportunity has changed his life. Nudge has been supporting Jordan and MACA for the past 12 months and he has proven to be a wonderful employee and trainee, and has really taken this opportunity and made the most of it.
What made you apply for this traineeship?
I had already been in a job for a few years and deep down I had always wanted to get into mining as my brother was in the mining industry. Having no tickets or experience made it difficult to get into the industry, so when I heard about this traineeship I jumped at the opportunity to get both training and experience.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
A little bit about myself, let me see. I graduated high school and straight from high school I started an apprenticeship with a Cabinet making company and completed it, then continued to work for the company for six years. After that, I started this mining traineeship through MACA, with Nudge support, which is almost coming to an end. When I’m not working I love being outdoors, I love to scuba dive and catch things even though I can’t eat seafood but my Mum enjoys the stuff I bring back. I love hanging with my three nephews and spending time with them and teaching them things their recently passed father usually would.
What is your favourite family tradition?
Family tradition would be taking my nephews out on walkabout and just teaching them and showing them things.
What will this traineeship do for my career/ life?
In terms of my career, this traineeship has gotten my foot in the door of mining and now my possibilities are endless within this industry, I can choose so many pathways to go down. For me personally, this traineeship has allowed me to afford to travel overseas to places I never thought I ever would or be able to afford. It has also allowed me to save and help out family members as well. So it’s easy to say that this MACA traineeship, with the support of Nudge, has been the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
What’s the best thing you have worked on, learnt or been involved with during your traineeship so far?
The best thing would have to be being able to work in different areas. So not just doing the trucks but helping in other areas around the pit so the diversity of things you can do I guess. Being a part of the Emergency Response team would be my favourite. I have learnt so many valuable skills training in this program.
What would you say to other employers who are thinking about bringing more young people into their business?
I would say to employers to go for it! Passing down knowledge from experienced workers to the next generation of workers is so important. There are things you can’t learn from a book, so being able to learn from skilled people means their business will be strong into the future.
I would say to employers bringing young Indigenous people into their business to be patient and have an understanding of our culture and ways. To be respectful and know we go about things differently, which can add value and provide a different perspective. To keep in contact with Nudge for support and guidance because they brief the employer and trainee on everything they need to know and can help with pretty much anything.
If you could travel to any place with no budget restrictions, where would you go and why?
I would travel the world. The trips I’ve been able to go on thanks to this traineeship have opened my eyes to the big wide world, and I want to see everything and go everywhere.
Do you have a favourite season and why?
I don’t have a favourite season they all play their part and I enjoy all of them. But if I had to choose it would be spring because it’s just after the rainy season and all the rivers and waterfalls are flowing.
If you could splurge on 1 must-have item, what would it be?
If I could splurge on one must have item it would be a new car. I would get a four wheel drive so I could go on road trips and drive in the Bush and on the beach.
Jordan Mogridge pictured above.