Large Employer of the Year

Large Employer of the Year

BHP is a world-leading resources company, operating in more than 90 locations worldwide, with products sold globally. Its South Australian operations include surface and underground mining in one of the world’s most significant copper, gold, silver, and uranium basins.

Training and workforce development are integral to BHP’s business planning, guided by structured 2-year and 5-year workforce plans. These plans address short- to medium-term operational needs while anticipating long-term industry trends, enabling BHP to ‘grow its own’ skilled workforce in a competitive South Australian skills market.

A hallmark of BHP’s apprenticeship program is its rotational structure, giving apprentices hands-on experience across departments. Line leaders and team members are trained to integrate apprentices effectively, supporting both junior and adult learners, including external candidates and existing employees. Leadership programs further equip staff to manage teams, drive innovation, and lead with integrity, consistently building confidence, capability, and readiness for greater responsibility across the organisation.

BAE Systems Australia is a leading defence and security company delivering advanced technologies across air, maritime, land and cyber domains. In South Australia, it plays a key role in major national programs, including the Hunter Class Frigate build and the AUKUS submarine initiative.

Training is embedded across the employee lifecycle at BAE Systems Australia, from early careers through to specialist and leadership roles, with access to more than 650 courses and nationally recognised qualifications.

A blended learning model integrates structured on-the-job experience with formal training, ensuring skills are immediately applied in complex, high-risk environments.

Early careers pathways, including apprenticeships, traineeships and graduate programs, are central to building long-term capability, particularly for large-scale naval shipbuilding and defence projects.

This sustained investment strengthens workforce readiness while supporting career progression and a culture of continuous learning, contributing to a skilled and resilient defence industry workforce in South Australia.