Recruiting the best

The company’s strategy is predicated on diversification by geography, commodity and market. To meet that strategic imperative it is necessary to recruit and retain talented employees from around the world. BHP Billiton’s success relies on ensuring the best and the brightest people are doing the jobs to deliver the right outcomes which will safely and successfully grow the business.

Each year in Australia, university students are invited to apply for a position on the BHP BillitonFoundations for Graduates program. After applying online, students’ applications are reviewed and assessed and, if successful, the applicant is invited to participate in the next stage of selection. Successful candidates are offered graduate positions, usually by the middle of the same year. BHP Billiton is always searching for candidates who are a good fit for the organisation and who share BHP Billiton’s Charter values. The program is actively marketed at university career fairs and school visits and via supporting materials such as promotional DVDs, brochures and on the BHP Billiton website. The program is also promoted to schools through the distribution of educational materials.

Jody Herley flies high with BHP Billiton

Jody Herley is a Bachelor of Mining Engineering graduate and works at BHP Billiton’s Cannington underground silver,lead and zinc mine located in northwest Queensland.

Jody says that BHP Billiton’s excellent reputation in the mining industry, recommendations from other graduates and the variety of opportunities on offer is what attracted her, but it was the strength of BHP Billiton’s Foundations for Graduates program that sealed the deal.

“I liked that BHP Billiton had a really structured graduate program and that they invest a lot into helping develop their graduates which is great to see as you don’t find that sort of thing with every company.”

“The main highlight of the program for me is definitely the five-day residential in Melbourne. It’s a really intense week but you get to meet heaps of graduates from other operations around Australia which is great for networking.”