Apprentice Maintenance Fitter - Kelso

In Australia, the J.R. Simplot Company's core operations are food manufacturing and agriculture, encompassing potato, vegetable, seafood and sauce operations. We supply a wide range of frozen, shelf-stable and chilled products to major retail and foodservice customers in Australia and New Zealand. The Simplot Global Food business includes 17 food manufacturing and processing sites, serving retail and foodservice customers in 37 countries, with 8,000 people across North America, Latin America and Asia Pacific. Globally, the J.R. Simplot Company employs 15,000 people, driving innovation and excellence across diverse industries.

Within the Australian market, we are a leading provider of quality, nourishing and sustainable food, focussed on creating meals that maximises value from the best Australian-grown produce and global seafood. Our iconic brands have been an integral part of Aussie life for generations, and include Leggo's, Birds Eye, Edgell, John West and Chiko.

Culture and Benefits

At Simplot, we are fueled by our purpose: We Contribute to Feeding Our World. We imagine a better future and set goals to reach it. We are committed to working as one Simplot and are guided by our shared values:

Respect for Resources

Spirit of Innovation

Passion for People

We embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion. We care about creating an environment that promotes safety and wellbeing and where our people feel supported, respected and empowered. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination and are committed to providing equal opportunities for all our team members.

Simplot is passionate about cultivating a future where good ideas and inspiring possibilities have the chance to grow. We want our team members to build exciting and fulfilling careers with us and offer professional and personal growth opportunities.

The Perks

Base rates up to 58% higher than the applicable award

Obtain a nationally recognised trade certification upon completion of 4 year apprenticeship, Cert III Engineering - Mechanical

Fully provided & laundered uniform, boots and PPE

Income protection insurance

Opportunity to work with a global leader in food manufacturing with a high focus on career development within a supportive environment

Learn from a team of highly skilled maintenance tradespeople

Soft tissue specialist appointments

About Our Role

4 year Maintenance Fitter Apprenticeship with Simplot Kelso

Bring your prior learnings to a unique opportunity with the home of Australia's favourite foods

Commence late 2025 / early 2026

Simplot is committed to developing the next generation of skilled tradespeople and prides itself on providing a supportive training environment. As part of our 2026 apprenticeship programme, we are seeking highly motivated applicants for an exciting and unique opportunity in the role of Apprentice Maintenance Fitter (Mechanical)

Commencing in Jan 2026, this role will provide the successful candidate with the opportunity to learn a skilled maintenance trade and to work with a unique range of equipment at our Kelso based food manufacturing facility. Upon successful completion of this 4 year apprenticeship, the Apprentice will obtain a nationally recognised qualification (Cert III Engineering - Mechanical).

Simplot Kelso is our seafood and snacking processing plant, producing approx. 50 tonnes of product daily (75 SKUs) for the retail and foodservice markets including Birds Eye, I&J and Captain's Catch branded products. The site employs approx. 120 local employees, with approximately 95% of manufactured goods consisting of either Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) or Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) seafood.

We strive to give our Apprentices the leading edge in developing a diverse skill set in the mechanical fitting trade. With base rates of up to 58% higher than the applicable award, and Simplot providing the successful candidate with a tool kit as a gesture of welcome - we ensure our apprentices are set up for success from day one!

What You Will Do

Working as part of our highly skilled Mechanical Maintenance team on a Monday-Friday day shift roster – this apprenticeship will focus on all facets of the mechanical maintenance trade within a busy food manufacturing environment. As part of this apprenticeship, duties may include (but are not limited to):

Contributing to safety initiatives to achieve a 100% commitment to safety, health and wellbeing in the workplace

Learning industry best practice for both preventative maintenance & breakdown activities

Attending mandatory blocks of TAFE for the duration of the apprenticeship

Use of hand tools, in addition to electrical and pneumatic powered tools & equipment

Use of lathes and other machining equipment to manufacture components prior to assembly / fitting

Welding (TIG, MIG, MMA)

Sheet metal fabrication

Working in a workshop environment and on the production floor

Problem solving & fault finding

Use of CMMS (Computerised Maintenance Management Systems)

Interaction & collaboration with wider Maintenance / Engineering & Production teams re: maintenance activities

Contributing towards continuous improvement initiatives

The opportunity to work with a wide variety of fixed plant and equipment incl;

- Conveyors

- High speed packing equipment

- Freezer tunnels

- Pumps

- Gearboxes

- Fryers

- Pneumatics

About You

Ideally you will have successfully completed school based engineering modules (e.g. Cert II - Engineering Pathways)

Possess a genuine interest in learning a mechanical based trade

Ability to commit to a 4 year apprenticeship incl. classroom based learning blocks

Demonstrated problem solving skills with a hands-on approach

Possess strong mathematical and English attributes - noting aptitude testing is required for shortlisted candidates

Intermediate IT skills with Windows OS

Hold Australian Citizenship or PR (we are unable to consider those candidates with a temporary visa)

Ability to commence full-time employment in Jan 2026.

Possess a driver's licence (or hold your Learners Permit with a look to obtaining P plates in the near future)

Demonstrate sound communication skills with the ability to interact with a wide variety of people and cultures

Willingness to undertake a pre-employment medical assessment (incl. urine based drug & alcohol screen)

Please click on the "Apply" button to submit your application, ensuring a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role AND an up-to-date resume are included (noting that you will be redirected to the Simplot Careers portal).

APPLICATIONS CLOSE MIDNIGHT, SUNDAY AUGUST 24th 2025 - Simplot reserve the right to commence shortlisting prior to advert closing date.

Job Requisition ID: 22842

Travel Required: Less than 10%

Location(s): GF Plant - Kelso

Country: Australia

Simplot is an equal opportunity employer and encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply. If you feel you would be a great addition to our team please apply online today, we would love to hear from you. If you require technical assistance, please email us at