The two-year program will provide engineering, geology and environmental graduates with an opportunity to work and learn alongside Whitehaven’s best in Gunnedah, Boggabri and Narrabri.

Whitehaven Coal CEO and Managing Director Paul Flynn said the program provided graduates with “an unrivaled opportunity” to learn in the mining industry.

“Whitehaven is looking for graduates with the right values and the right attitude,” Mr Flynn said.

“This means always looking for opportunities to learn, being passionate about the job, and stepping out of your comfort zone to grow as a mining professional.

“Our next generation of mining graduates have an unrivaled opportunity to shape the future of mining in Australia and pioneer a new wave of innovation in the industry.”

Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce vice president Michael Broekman said the chamber welcomed the program.

“The Chamber is very supportive of these kinds of iniatives,” Mr Broekman said.

“It would be great to see more companies get on board with graduate and apprenticeship programs.”

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Mr Broekman said the program will help Gunnedah’s current skill shortage but more needs to be done to correct the problem.

“This will do wonders for graduates in those fields, but I would love to see a program that offered maybe 25 apprenticeships across a range of trades,” he said.

“Gunnedah is struggling in terms of entry into trades so hopefully this program will inspire other local business to think about taking on apprentices.”

“It’s a serious issue that we as a chamber need to get the whole community thinking about.”

Applications for the 2018 graduate programs close in late March 2018 and for the 2019 program in late April 2018.

Graduates can apply for the program online at www.whitehavencoal.com.au.