My Story, Your Future | Meet Sammy

Sammy in outback South Australia

There is no single pathway into the mining industry, and Sammy's career journey is a great example of that. 

Today, Sammy works as a Support Specialist and Apprentice Field Mentor in South Australia, supporting apprentices throughout their training, development and wellbeing. However, her journey into mining began in an entry level underground role as a nipper after first working as a jillaroo in outback South Australia. 

In this interview, Sammy shares how she found her way into the mining industry, what she enjoys most about her role, the skills she uses every day and the advice she'd give to anyone considering a career in mining.

Key Facts

• Current Role: Support Specialist and Apprentice Field Mentor 

• Location: South Australia 

• First Mining Role: Underground Nipper 

• Previous Career: Jillaroo 

• Roster: 7 days on, 7 days off 

Favorite Part of the Job: Supporting apprentices through challenges and celebrating their success. 

Advice in One Sentence: Keep an open mind, work hard and don't be afraid to start with an entry level role. 

Tell us a little about your current role and what a typical day look like: 

My role focuses on supporting apprentices across their on the job training, development and wellbeing. On an average day, I might meet with apprentices one on one, liaise with supervisors and tradespeople, coordinate rotations and training requirements, assist with trade school, competency tracking, and address any performance, attendance or wellbeing concerns. A large part of my role is being a consistent point of contact and advocate for apprentices, while ensuring business and safety standards are met. 

What skills are most important in your role? 

Strong communication and interpersonal skills are absolutely essential. I work with apprentices at different stages, trade supervisors, leaders and external training providers and stakeholders. Other key skills include empathy, mentoring, coaching, organisation, problem solving and the ability to have difficult conversations. Professionalism, confidentiality and adaptability are also critical. 

How does your role contribute to the operation? 

My role supports the business by helping develop capable, confident and work ready tradespeople. By supporting apprentices early and addressing challenges before they escalate, we can improve retention, safety outcomes and the long term workforce. A well supported apprentice is more engaged, safer in the workplace and more likely to become a productive and reliable tradesperson. 

Strong communication and interpersonal skills are absolutely essential.

https://youtu.be/7q5rpTl1ZSE

Sammy's My Story Your Future Interview

What do you enjoy most about your role and the mining industry? 

Being able to support someone through challenges, celebrate their wins and help shape their career is super rewarding. I also really enjoy the mining and resources industry because it offers diverse career pathways, strong training opportunities and the chance to work in a complex, high performing environment. 

What does your roster look like? 

I work seven days on, seven days off roster and I've been working within this rostering system for around eight years. I really value this schedule because when I'm on shift, I'm fully focused at work and able to give my role 100%. When I'm off, I can switch off and focus on my family, friends and personal life. 

When I'm on shift, I'm fully focused at work and able to give my role 100%. When I'm off, I can switch off and focus on my family, friends and personal life. 

When you were 15 or 16, what did you think your future career would look like? 

I genuinely did not know what I wanted to do long term. What I did know very clearly at the time was that university was not for me. I wasn't sure I wanted to study. I didn't want to waste my time or my parents' money or take up a place that another student may have desperately wanted. I wanted experience and adventure. 

How did you find your way into the mining industry? 

I was looking through the Stock Journal and there was an advertisement for a jillaroo. I had to research what that was. I applied for a job in Coober Pedy and got on a bus from Victoria to outback South Australia. 

I worked really hard while I was there, completed a Certificate II in Agriculture and was given opportunities to step into leadership and take on more responsibility. Working long hours, hot days and being away from home all helped me transition into mining. 

Working long hours, hot days and being away from home all helped me transition into mining. 

What was your first mining role? 

I started in an entry level role as a nipper. I was essentially a trade assistant for the first six years of my career. Through working in that role and coming into contact with new starters all the time, I really found that I had a passion for training and ensuring people got a really good platform and a good start to industry. 

I started upskilling into training and assessment qualifications, and that created opportunities that I never could have dreamed of within the industry. 

What advice would you give to someone considering a career in mining? 

Keep an open mind, be willing to learn and say yes to opportunity, even if it feels outside of your comfort zone. Turn up with a positive attitude, have a strong work ethic and approach things with curiosity. The industry rewards people who are reliable, safety focused and eager to develop. Ask questions, seek feedback and don't be afraid to start small. Many successful careers in mining begin with entry level roles and grow from there. 

Thank you to Sammy for sharing her career journey as part of RESA's My Story, Your Future campaign. 

Every career journey is unique. Through sharing the stories of South Australians working across the resources sector, we're helping students, job seekers and career changers discover the many different pathways into rewarding careers in mining.