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Alcoa Australia

4.5
  • 1,000 - 50,000 employees

Alcoa Australia Graduate Programs & Internships

  • Energy & Utilities
  • Mining, Oil & Gas
  • R&D and Manufacturing

Since the dawn of the industry, the name Alcoa has been synonymous with operational excellence and leadership in the production of bauxite, alumina and aluminium products. We invented the aluminium industry in 1888 and we continue to innovate with new technologies and processes.

Alcoa aluminium was used in the Wright brothers' first flight, in the first aluminium-sheathed skyscraper, the first all-aluminium vehicle frame and the first aluminium beer can.

Our Australian operations represent one of the world’s largest integrated bauxite mining, alumina refining and aluminium smelting systems and add value to Australia’s local, state and national economies at every stage.

Alcoa's operations support approximately 4,275 direct jobs, predominantly in regional Australia.

Our culture

Our workplace is an inclusive and respectful environment, where we embrace change, new ideas and equal opportunity to succeed. We provide some of the most unique technical challenges in our industry and we are committed to achieving world’s best practice through our values to Act with integrity, Operate with excellence, and Care for people.

We believe part of the reason we have low employee turnover in Australia is because of our successful initiatives which assist employees to achieve a positive and healthy balance between work and personal life. We also have an inclusive culture which provides employees with the opportunity to succeed professionally and empowers them to be proud of who they are and where they come from.

No matter what a person's gender, marital status, age, background, ethnicity, beliefs, impairments, sexual preference or religion, all employees are valued members of the Alcoa team. Through our inclusion strategy we have several company-wide employee resource groups including the Alcoa Women’s Network and EAGLE (Employees at Alcoa for Gay, Lesbian [Bisexual and Transgender] Equality). Each group provides information and resources, a support network and organises group activities.

By taking inclusion, diversity and work-life balance seriously, we know we stand a far greater chance of attracting the right people who will be the best fit for our business.

Social Contribution

Alcoa constantly strives to meet and exceed corporate and community expectations relating to environmental management, health, safety and good corporate citizenship.

Each year, more than 65 per cent of our total revenue stays in Australia through wages, local purchasing, taxes, royalties, capital investment and dividends to Australian shareholders.

We are recognized leaders in sustainability, and our know-how in mine rehabilitation and biodiversity conservation gives us access to valuable resources in highly protected areas, such as the Jarrah forest in Western Australia.

We want the communities closest to our operations to thrive, and we view our presence as an opportunity to help develop economic activity, environmental practices and social programs that will stay in place after our role ends

Alcoa has a proud history of long-term partnerships that make a difference to the things that matter to local communities. In 2017, Alcoa invested around $4.2 million in a wide variety of community programs in Australia. 

From our earliest beginnings we have opened our doors, people’s eyes and students’ minds, sharing an insight into the technology and ingenuity that transforms the red rock-like mineral bauxite into light-weight, shining aluminium.

We hold formal consultation forums in local areas, employ dedicated Community Relations Officers across all operations and deliver free tours of our mines and refineries.

About Our Opportunities:

Alcoa’s Graduate Program

Alcoa’s Graduate Program aims to provide a broad base of skills and experiences, while being tailored to graduates needs and career goals. The program provides real workplace opportunities at our mines and refineries, where graduates can develop technical and interpersonal skills. 

We provide opportunities for personal and professional development through formal training programs, informal networking and by receiving ongoing support, coaching and regular feedback from our senior professionals. 

We offer a three-year rotational program, during which time graduates gain experience across our three West Australian aluminium refineries and two bauxite mine sites. Graduates are immersed in Alcoa’s unique workplace environment and culture, which fosters communication, involvement, knowledge sharing and teamwork.

Alcoa’s Summer Vacation Student Program

As an Alcoa Vacation Student, you will participate in a 12-week program specifically designed to optimise your exposure and practical experience in your chosen discipline. Students are required to travel to and from site each working day and could be based at any location, depending on the discipline.

While it’s not a prerequisite, Alcoa Vacation Students are viewed favourably during recruitment for the Alcoa Graduate Program.

Recruitment advertisement commences around April each year.

What it's like to work here

Around the world, we share common goals:

  • We empower our people to make continuous improvements.
  • We create an environment in which all employees develop and contribute to their full potential.
  • We embrace diversity at all levels, believing that superior company performance requires a variety of employee experiences, backgrounds, and characteristics.
  • We reward and recognize outstanding results.
  • From day one, we expect every employee to contribute and make a difference.

Our Locations

Operations include:

  • Two bauxite mines in Western Australia (Huntly and Willowdale)
  • Three alumina refineries in Western Australia (Kwinana, Pinjarra and Wagerup)
  • Two dedicated port facilities in Western Australia (Kwinana and Bunbury)
  • One aluminium smelter in Victoria (Portland)

On the Job Profile

“I get to work with people from all parts of the business and I’ve found adapting information to suit different audiences can be both challenging and fun. My role is so fast-paced, things change every day and there is always something to work on, so I never get bored.”

- Katie Marshall studied a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering at Curtin University and is a Graduate Chemical Engineer at Alcoa Australia.

Graduate Reviews

Overall Score
4.5
Overall score based on 142 reviews
They Score Best in…
9.2
Work Hours
9.0
Corporate Social Responsibility
8.8
Career Prospects
8.8
Sustainability
What Graduates Say About Them
  • Great work-life balance and workplace culture. Exposure to projects and day-to-day problem-solving.
  • Great level of support. Fantastic team of people to work with.
  • A large, interconnected network of people over different disciplines with ranging expertise that can help.
  • I love being able to work in the minerals industry without having to go FIFO as the refineries and mines are within driving distance from home. Being an international company, I may have future opportunities to travel abroad for work. The graduate program itself offers a lot of opportunities for both personal and professional development. This is captured in monthly graduate days, extra training courses as well as responsibilities given to me in my everyday work. On top of this, Alcoa is very diligent in making sure you have a job after the graduate program is complete, securing my future career.
  • It is relaxed compared to consultancy, training events are provided.
  • The low turnover of employees can be both good and bad. On one hand you have years of experience to tap into, but on the other hand, it can make it difficult to change strategies and methods of work.
  • Change seems difficult due to the systems in place or long-standing practises.
  • The ageing demographic. A lot of workers have been here for over 20 (often 30 or 40) years. This means that not only do I have to work consistently with people of an older generation, but trying to change the culture in areas that require it becomes quite difficult.
  • Lack of on the job training.
  • The old unionist and pessimistic mentality of some of the workers. It really is a great place to work, so the negativity is frustrating at times.

Jobs & Opportunities

Locations With Jobs & Opportunities
  • WA (Perth and Regional WA) and VIC (Portland)
Hiring candidates with qualifications in
B
Business & Management (english)
E
Engineering & Mathematics
I
IT & Computer Science
S
Sciences

Graduate Success Stories


  • Graduate stories

Andrea Oorjitham

Graduate Health & Safety Consultant at Alcoa Australia at Alcoa Australia

  • Graduate stories

Katie Marshall

Graduate Chemical Engineer, Alcoa at Alcoa Australia


A Day In The Life Of


  • Day in the life

Elysha Maxwell

Graduate Electrical Engineer at Alcoa Australia at Alcoa Australia

Bachelor of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (Honours) at Curtin University

  • Day in the life

Brendan Farrell

Graduate Area Chemical Engineer at Alcoa Australia at Alcoa Australia

Videos


Producing Endless Possibilities: Alcoa Global Bauxite

Safe, Efficient, Sustainable: Alcoa Global Bauxite is one of the world's largest producers with strategic placement near key Atlantic and Pacific markets.