Albemarle Cuts Apprentice Program at Kemerton Refinery
American lithium producer Albemarle is halving its mechanical and electrical apprentice program at its struggling Kemerton refinery in Western Australia. The company cited market conditions and a downsizing of operations as the reason for the cuts.
This decision comes just one year after Albemarle announced its first-ever intake of apprentices, including five women. The company's presentation stated that it was "unable to support the work required for the number of apprentices we have to successfully complete apprenticeships."
The news has been met with criticism from the Electrical Trades Union WA, which called the situation "sickening and frustrating." The union also expressed concern that the cuts set a dangerous precedent for the industry.
The WA government has offered a $150 million lithium industry support package to protect local jobs. However, the Electrical Trades Union WA believes that the government needs to do more to hold companies like Albemarle accountable for their social responsibility.
Workforce Development Minister Simone McGurk has stated that the government is prioritizing support for affected apprentices so they can continue their training. However, it remains unclear how many apprentices will be directly impacted by the cuts.