Students at FutureFit Academy Forrestfield smiling

BHP FutureFit Academy

BHP Australia's purpose-built learning centres have been especially designed for optimised Mining Maintenance and Production Training programs to kick start your career in mining.

What's on offer? 

Be paid while you gain nationally recognised qualifications! The FutureFit Academy (FFA) is a purpose-built learning centre with locations in both Perth, WA and Mackay, QLD. The training facilities have been designed to set you up for success in a hands-on mining role, making sure that you have the skills and experience to succeed in your role with BHP. 

The academy is ideal for people looking to enter the mining industry or get a start through a traineeship or apprenticeship in a hands-on role. 

All our FFA graduates are permanent employees from day one, trained in a safe, immersive learning environment, and once qualified to the required level, start work at one of BHP’s operational sites where they will be provided with the opportunity to further develop their career in a Maintenance or Production role.

The BHP FutureFit Academy currently offers a choice of two entry pathways, either maintenance or production and on successful completion you will gain a nationally recognised qualification:

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Maintenance: Our maintenance pathways are designed for people who have a mechanical aptitude, enjoy removing/ replacing components and servicing machinery. Our maintenance teams are essential in keeping all our equipment such as our trucks and conveyers working effectively on our sites. 

Transition to trade qualification: After successful completion of the Maintenance Associate program with FutureFit Academy (FFA) and 12 months being deployed, if the Maintenance Associate is selected and has interest in completing a trade, they can go back to FFA (Mackay or Perth) and study for another 12 - 18 months. This will function more like a traditional trade, with time split between the FFA and completing practical skills on site.

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      Production: Our Production pathway offers a key entry path to operate the equipment on our sites –  some of the largest mobile equipment in the world. This training pathway is only offered at our Mackay, QLD academy.

 

Training types on offer:

These training programs, which are delivered through the BHP FutureFit Academy, have been developed in conjunction with respected Registered Training Organisations, Central Queensland University (RTO 40939), South Metropolitan TAFE (RTO 52787) and North Metropolitan TAFE (RTO 52786) Perth.*

*Please note this information does not apply to all of BHP’s operations and BHP also offers other traditional apprentice and traineeship pathways across its sites directly. These opportunities will be posted on our careers site and you can be alerted about these by signing up to job alerts in your candidate profile.

 

 

If you cannot see the role you would like to apply for via the links above, please be aware that the intake at the BHP FutureFit Academy in Mackay and Perth can vary based on business needs and deployment schedules. Please don't be discouraged if there are no roles available when you search - in the meantime, we encourage you to set-up a job alert so you will be emailed when applications do open. 

Raquel walking through maintenance workshop in BHP orange high vis shirt smiling with people shown in background
There's so many possibilities… there's so many opportunities - it's a great place to have a lifelong career. Come here and make it your place.”
Raquel

Superintendent, Operations Services FutureFit Academy, Mackay

Does this sound like you?

Entry pathway        
  • You like tinkering with parts and understanding how things work and are put together
  • Don't mind grease and dirt and are physically fit for demanding work in a hot environment
  • Safety and teamwork are high priorities and you enjoy working as a team
  • Engineering or mathematically minded
  • Strong problem-solving skills and high attention to detail
  • Can succeed in a classroom and hands-on learning environment, plus you like learning how to create and repair
  • You're keen to be near some of the largest equipment in the world
  • Task orientated and don't mind repetition
   

 

Check your eligibility by ensuring you can answer YES to the questions below:

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  • Do you live or have ability to stay (for duration of training) within proximity and travel distance of either our Mackay, QLD or Perth, WA based training facility?
  • After successful completion of the program, are you committed to being deployed to one of our Australian operational sites in either WA, SA, or QLD on a FIFO roster? 
  • Are you prepared to work fly in, fly out rosters and understand the effects on your lifestyle? 
  • Are you comfortable to work in shifts, up to twelve hours a day, in and out of the elements? 
  • Do you hold a valid and full Australian driver’s licence?

 

At the BHP FutureFit Academy, all participants will follow a 7/7 roster. This schedule typically involves working seven consecutive days from 6am - 3:30pm, followed by a week off. After that, the routine shifts to seven days from 1:30pm to midnight, again followed by a week off.

person
Being out of school for so long you think, oh it’s quite intimidating to come in and study again, but the trainers have made it really easy so there’s always heaps of support.
April

Trainee, Maintenance
FutureFit Academy, Perth

FutureFit Academy FAQ

Download the FAQ here.

  • What qualifications are issued by the RTO upon successful completion?
  • Is relocation offered as part of the package?
  • Will BHP cover training costs?
  • What is the salary for these positions?
  • Do you offer any other additional features & benefits that aren’t related to cash rewards?
  • Is accommodation provided?
  • Do I need to provide my own equipment?
  • When are the start dates?
  • What are the leave entitlements?
  • Any insights on what to expect in the application process and how to prepare?
  • I’ve applied, what can I expect from the application process?
  • When would I find out if I had been offered a position in a program?