Bechtel is the primary engineering, procurement and construction contractor for the Curtis Island Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Projects in Gladstone, Queensland. Bechtel is the largest employer of Australian Apprentices in the region, with 401 current apprentices and 52 trainees.

Bechtel’s apprenticeship programme focuses on national skills shortage areas, addressing Australia’s shortage of electricians, carpenters, boilermakers and mechanical fitters, among other areas. As Bechtel’s worksite is isolated, purpose-built training facilities have been constructed onsite, allowing apprentices to maximise their education time and have ready access to trainers and mentors. When it is not possible to deliver training onsite, Bechtel supports its apprentices to travel to the nearest training facility.

As certain trade competencies are difficult to obtain because of the specialised nature of work on the LNG projects, Bechtel works with the local community to identify projects that can be undertaken by apprentices that will allow them to gain the required competencies whilst providing benefits to the community.