AKD National Apprentice Program

AKD has a long standing and successful National Apprenticeship Program with over 70 apprentices consistently in training across our business, covering Fitters, Electricians, Saw Technicians and Wood Machinists. This reflects AKD’s commitment to training and developing its people, ensuring trade-based skills are available long-term to support our sawmilling operations.

At AKD, we invest in our employees’ future through development and training opportunities to cater for a wide range of people and their chosen career path. Learning and development is for everyone, and we provide opportunities from entry level to experienced and everything in between.

Benefits of an AKD Apprenticeship.

Complete a nationally recognised qualification
Highest level of training from skilled and experienced tradespeople
Establish a career with Australia’s leading sawmill
Working with cutting edge equipment and new technology
Learn while you earn
Opportunities to travel to other sites
Obtain various licences and tickets
Open to mature age entry

An AKD Apprenticeship combine work (and pay) with on-the-job training and learning, so you get the skills you need to thrive whilst having the opportunity to work on state-of-the-art equipment and multimillion-dollar projects. You’ll be supported throughout your journey and learn from the best in the business while you work towards a qualification you’ll have for life.

Explore the trades.

Apprentice Fitter

Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade

The fundamental purpose of the position of Maintenance Fitter is to maintain and repair production plant to optimum performance to assist achieving minimal downtime.

Maintenance Fitters at AKD apply a wide range of mechanical skills, including mechanical assembly, manufacturing components, equipment installation and modification, perform various types of welding, testing/fault finding for equipment efficiencies and servicing of mechanical equipment.

As a Fitter at AKD you could do a range of tasks including:

Using and maintaining specialised machines and tools
Component repair and assembly
Reading and interpreting technical drawings & manuals
Problem Solving and fixing faults
Carrying out preventative maintenance
Responding to breakdown events
Maintaining specialised equipment

Apprentice Wood Machinist

Certificate III in Wood Machining

A Wood Machinist is a highly skilled trade at a sawmill and at AKD they set up, operate and maintain machines such as automated planers/moulders and saws to cut, plane and profile timber to specifications. This involves selecting and setting up knives and cutters to machinery, aligning knives, operating machines to cut, plane and profile timber, and cleaning and maintaining machines and equipment.

As a Wood Machinist at AKD you could do a range of tasks including:

Sharpen, maintain and set knives and saws
Perform saw changes
Alignment of machine centres
Machine maintenance
Instructing operators
Problem Solving and fixing faults
Optimise planer and timber recovery

Apprentice Saw Technician

Certificate III in Saw Technology

A Saw Technician is one of the most highly skilled trades at a sawmill and at AKD they service, maintain and align saw blades, knives and guides for timber sawmilling machines and other applications. Saw Technicians may also inspect, test, maintain and troubleshoot mechanical components on sawing machine centres to achieve sawing production rates and product tolerances.

As a Saw Technician you could do a range of tasks including:

Sharpening, setting and maintaining chipper knives & saws
Removing and replacing saw blades
Straightening and stretching steel saw blades
Alignment of machine centres
Operating manual and computer controlled tools and equipment
Problem Solving and fixing faults
Optimise saw and timber recovery

Apprentice Electrician

Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician

Industrial electricians are trained in industrial and systems engineering, and they use this knowledge to trouble-shoot, maintain, and install electrical equipment. They install and maintain generators, transformers, switchboards, and panels, and they also install and maintain interior wiring.

As an Industrial Electrician at AKD, you could be applying your trade skills and experience to a wide range of maintenance and installation situations supporting our industry leading equipment (eg. Artificial Intelligence).

As an Electrician at AKD you could do a range of tasks including:

Installing, repairing, and maintaining the electrical parts of industrial equipment
Interpreting technical documents
Preventative maintenance
Fault finding and root cause analysis
Interpreting PLC logic programs
Providing technical support

We’ll support you through your Apprenticeship.

All our apprentices work alongside experienced employees to ensure the most supportive learning and development environment is provided. Our apprentices work in hands-on environment and gain the skills to work across many different parts of our business.

We have a dedicated Training Manager to guide and support your overall training experience while undertaking your apprenticeship.

Throughout and post the completion of the program there is opportunities for experience to be gained at other sites/locations, with accommodation and travel support provided.

With a commitment of 3-4 years required to complete your trade, gain on the job training and attend trade school, individuals must be highly motivated, flexible and keen to learn.

These great opportunities require commitment and a desire to learn and grow.

How to apply.

AKD’s National Apprenticeship Program 2025 intake is now closed.