She completed her apprenticeship with a Certificate III in electrotechnology in September last year and secured a full time position at Coal and Allied’s Mount Thorley Warkworth open cut coal mine shortly afterwards.

Marskell said: “I was overwhelmed to win such a prestigious award. I’m grateful that SKILLED and Coal and Allied’s apprenticeship programme gave me the technical knowledge and practical experience to help me secure a job at Mount Thorley Warkworth.

“My apprenticeship has also given me the opportunity to advocate for women in trades. I think the key to seeing more women in trades is education so I’ve taken every opportunity to speak with young women at Coal and Allied’s career days and high school events.

“I hope that with this award, I can continue to share my experiences and encourage more women to try a trade.”

SKILLED CEO Angus McKay said the SKILLED Awards recognise the outstanding achievements and contributions of our trainees, apprentices, field employees and staff employed across the group.

“These awards are an important facet of our incentive program to ensure the 1300 trainees and apprentices that we employ each year aspire to be among the best in their respective fields,” he said.

Mount Thorley Warkworth general manager operations Mark Rodgers said: “The [apprenticeship] program allows us to tap into a pool of talented workers and build capacity in the Hunter Valley. It is just one of the ways Coal and Allied is committed to providing employment opportunities for young people in the Hunter Valley.”