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Careers in STEM

STEM careers at Elphinstone

What is STEM?

STEM is an approach to learning and development that integrates the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Through STEM and its pathways, students develop key skills including problem solving, creativity, critical analysis, teamwork, independent thinking, initiative, communication, and digital literacy.

Why is STEM important?

The global economy is changing. Current jobs are disappearing due to automation and new jobs are frequently emerging due to technological advances.

Advanced technology is changing how students learn, connect and interact. The skills students develop through STEM provide a foundation for success at school and beyond.

Employer demand for STEM qualifications has increased with new positions being created faster than they can be filled. Currently, 75 per cent of jobs in the fastest-growing industries require workers with STEM skills. For the Australian workforce to remain competitive, it needs people who can adapt to a changing workplace.

STEM empowers individuals with the skills to succeed and adapt to this changing world.

STEM Careers, Internships and Work Experience

Would you like to gain valuable experience working with the most successful name in Australian-produced underground mining equipment and add a well-respected reference to your resume?

Elphinstone provides internships for undergraduate students over the summer university break in engineering (December to February). Disciplines and engineering specialisations include, but are not limited to; Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Mechatronics, Manufacturing and Project Management.

Your time with us will allow you to apply your skills in real-life situations, and give you access to experts in your field.

Elphinstone can provide a better understanding of our industry and business, and help you choose your future career.

Engineering Specialisations

Mechatronics Engineering is multidisciplinary and deals with integrating electrical and mechanical systems. It can include a combination of robotics, electronics, computing, telecommunications, systems, control, product engineering, and electronics to create functional, smart products. Some of the indicative activities that may be undertaken when practising mechatronics engineering are:

  • develop solutions to industrial problems
  • product design, development and testing
  • automation
  • manufacturing
  • by-wire technologies for vehicles
  • modelling and simulation
  • motion control
  • teaching and training.

Mechatronics Engineers usually have applied knowledge in engineering, physics, and maths. They tend to be creative thinkers with complex problem-solving and advanced analytical skills.

Electrical Engineering deals with electricity generation, transmission, distribution, electrical equipment manufacture, instrumentation and control systems. Some of the indicative activities that may be undertaken when practising electrical engineering are:

  • design
  • development
  • installation
  • maintenance
  • manufacture
  • operation
  • research.

Electrical Engineers enjoy maths, physics, computers and electronic equipment. They also have an interest in problem-solving, innovative thinking and embracing new technologies.

Mechanical Engineering deals with the application of the principles of engineering and physics with the study of advanced materials for the design, analysis, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. Some of the indicative activities that may be undertaken when practising mechanical engineering are:

  • consultancy
  • design
  • development
  • installation
  • maintenance
  • manufacture
  • operations
  • project management
  • research
  • testing.

Mechanical engineering suits people with an aptitude for technology, machines and tools, technical design and physics. Good communication and teamwork skills are important.

Electronics Engineering deals with scientific and engineering design to develop computer modelling tools, sophisticated electronics, hardware, software and control systems for machines & communications.

Some of the indicative activities that may be undertaken when practising electronics engineering are:

  • design and documentation
  • installation, testing and commissioning
  • manufacture and supply
  • operation and maintenance
  • quality assurance
  • research and development
  • teaching and training.

Electronic Engineers enjoy working with computers but are also avid problem solvers, innovative thinkers and quickly adapt to new technologies.

Project Management deals with the discipline of initiating, planning, executing, controlling, and closing the work of a team to achieve specific goals and meet specific success criteria. Some of the indicative activities that may be undertaken when practising project management are to:

  • Understand the requirements of clients, wide-ranging stakeholders and society as a whole
  • Work to optimise social, environmental and economic outcomes over the full lifetime of the engineering project, program or process.
  • Exercise high-level business skills to identify cost, scope and time issues and develop an approach to ensure project delivery within the confines of the project constraints.
  • Ensure that technical and non-technical considerations are properly integrated.
  • Bring knowledge to bear from multiple sources to develop solutions to complex projects and inform project team members to apply those solutions effectively.
  • Exercise the necessary leadership to ensure that the engineering contribution is properly integrated into the totality of the project.
  • Interact effectively with other disciplines, professions and people.
  • Interpret technological possibilities for society, business and government.
  • Manage risk as well as sustainability issues in the delivery of projects.
  • Understand clearly how new developments relate to established practice and experience and to other disciplines with which they may interact.

Core qualities of a successful project manager include strong leadership abilities, excellent communication skills, adaptability to change, attention to detail, decisiveness, emotional intelligence & risk management skills.

For Students and Parents

If interested in Work Experience please speak with your school coordinator. We will always endeavour to accommodate the selected dates (ensuring at least 1-month notice is given), but unfortunately, this may not be possible in some instances. We will work with your school on an alternative if possible.

Before starting you (along with your parents and school) must complete the relevant paperwork or online modules provided.

For Schools

  • Adequate timeframe - Elphinstone requires a minimum of one (1) month's notice for all Work Experience (Work Placement) requests. Please note that there is no guarantee on certain dates, but we will do our best to find a solution if the requested dates are unavailable.
  • Paperwork - Before placement can be confirmed, all paperwork must be signed by the student, parents, and the school.
  • Insurance - Students must be covered by the school's liability insurance to be placed in the Elphinstone Work Experience Program. All schools must provide evidence of adequate insurance coverage before placement can be undertaken.

To find out more about our Work Experience and Internships, please call our Human Resources team on +61 3 6442 7777 or email careers@elphinstone.com

Elphinstone Pty Ltd is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion.

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Board of Directors

Dale Elphinstone, Elphinstone Pty Ltd

Dale Elphinstone

Executive Chairman and Founder

Dale Elphinstone has never been afraid of a challenge. He often tells people “We did it because we didn’t know we couldn’t”.

Dale's relationship with Caterpillar began in 1966 at 15 as an apprentice with Victorian and Tasmanian Cat Dealer, William Adams. He then was employed as a Field Service Mechanic across Tasmanian and King Island mine sites and later worked for Canadian Cat Dealer, Finning for 2 years.

Now, just 40 years later, Dale has established Elphinstone as a recognised Cat OEM, manufacturing Haulmax 3900 series off-highway haul trucks, Railmax RMT15F road-rail excavators and Elphinstone underground support vehicles.

Kelly Elphinstone, Non-Executive Director

Kelly Elphinstone

Non-Executive Director

Kelly is an Executive Director of the Elphinstone Group, a private, family-owned global enterprise which today consists of ten operating businesses and substantial property and equity portfolios.

Involved with the Elphinstone Group for over 30 years, Kelly is either a Director or the Chair on the Boards of all operating businesses within her responsibility, including ASX-listed company Engenco Limited.

Kelly also maintains the Group’s Government relations.

Outside of the Elphinstone Group, Kelly is a Member of the Young President’s Organisation (YPO) and Chief Executive Women (CEW).

Kelly is also a Director of the Tasmanian Mining, Manufacturing and Energy Council and a member of the Tasmanian Defence Industry Advisory Committee (DIAC).

Warren Young, Elphinstone Pty Ltd

Warren Young

Managing Director

Warren commenced his career with Dale B Elphinstone Pty Ltd (Underground Mining) in January 1989 as a cadet, combining on the job experience with Mechanical Engineering studies.

The company continued to expand globally as Warren worked extensively in research, development, and design, culminating in a Senior Management oversight role for several years prior to the sale of the business to Caterpillar Inc. in 2000.

Continuing with the Elphinstone Group, Warren was appointed the role of Managing Director at William Adams Caterpillar, combining considerable leadership experience and engineering knowledge in heavy equipment applications.

In February 2021, Warren was appointed Managing Director of Elphinstone Pty Ltd, overseeing the company’s product development, sales, and manufacturing activities. Warren holds several Elphinstone Group Directorships including the oversight of Phu Thai Cat, the Caterpillar Dealer in Vietnam.

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Defence OEM Partnerships

Elphinstone Defence Partnerships

Large-scale fabrication and assembly projects

Building on our extensive history of quality, reliability and dependability in underground mining, Elphinstone is partnering with Defence OEMs on large-scale machine and structure fabrication and assembly projects.

Wholly Australian-owned, Elphinstone has operated in Burnie, Tasmania, since 1975 and is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and manufacturing equipment.  With a highly skilled and qualified workforce, a well-established supply chain, and daily direct freight routes to mainland Australia via Melbourne and Geelong, Elphinstone can meet the most stringent customer requirements.

Elphinstone is a member of the Australian Industry and Defence Network, a highly reputed advocate and collaborator across the defence industry.

Defence Projects

  • LAND400 Phase 2

    Elphinstone was an integral part of Team Sentinel as the potential manufacturer of the ST Kinetics Terrex 3 8x8 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle.  While Team Sentinel was unable to proceed to RMA, our participation in this project demonstrated Elphinstone’s capability to meet the needs of the defence force and provide sovereign manufacturing capability.

  • LAND8116

    In February 2022 Elphinstone entered a contract with Hanwha Defence Australia for the manufacturing of turret and hull structures for the Huntsman AS9 Self-Propelled Howitzers and AS10 Armoured Ammunition Resupply Vehicles. Main image: An RoK K9 Self-Propelled Howitzer, the parent platform for the improved Australian AS9 Huntsman.

  • LAND400 Phase 3

    Elphinstone is teaming with Hanwha Defence Australia for the manufacture of hull structures for the Redback vehicle, which has been down-selected for the Australian Army’s Infantry Fighting Vehicle requirement.

Global Presence

Elphinstone has serviced the global mining market for many years and has extensive working experience with international companies.  Being wholly Australian-owned, we can contribute significantly to AIC and ACE objectives.  We are able to compete on a global scale for cost and quality.  And due to our location in Tasmania, we use 100% net renewable energy.

Our Capabilities

Elphinstone has significant manufacturing capabilities including:

  • Large-scale complex metal fabrication– heavy, medium and light gauge, mild steel, hardened steel armoured plate, stainless steel.
  • 5 axis machining of workpieces up to 4.0m(H) x 4.5m(W) x 10.0m(L) and 50MT.
  • Plasma cutting and pressing (up to 1,000 MT).
  • Abrasive blasting and painting.
  • Non-destructive testing.
  • Machine assembly – powertrain, hydraulic and electrical systems.
  • Cab and vehicle body fit-out.
  • Electrical harness manufacture.

Jigs and fixtures are designed in-house and are extensively used to facilitate efficient, accurate and repeatable manufacturing processes.  We are certified to ISO9001:2015 and are able to meet all customer, Australian and International standards for fabrication processes.  Elphinstone also holds a DISP membership (entry-level).

The team at Elphinstone pride itself on maintaining direct and open communications with all of our stakeholders, and providing the highest levels of quality and reliability to our customers.

Contact Information

Australian Industry and Defence Network

Australian Industry and Defence Network (AIDN)

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Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO)

Elphinstone Pty Ltd & Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO).

At Elphinstone, we care about our planet and support packaging recyclability. We are an active member of APCO.

What is APCO?

APCO is a not-for-profit organisation leading the development of a circular economy for packaging in Australia. APCO works with governments, businesses and other organisations from across Australia’s large and complex packaging value chain to develop the insights, resources and programs that are needed to build a sustainable national packaging ecosystem.

To find out more about APCO, please visit apco.org.au/about-apco

Our Commitment

We are committed to:

  • Maximising the collection and recycling of used packaging materials on our sites.
  • Reducing the volume of non-recycled and non-recyclable packaging for our products.

Each year, we submit an APCO Annual Report and an APCO Action Plan. Please download our latest report via the link provided.

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Work Experience and Internships

Internships & Work Experience

Work Experience and Internships

Would you like to gain valuable experience working with the most successful name in Australian-produced underground mining equipment and add a well-respected reference to your resume?

Elphinstone provides internships for undergraduate students over the summer university break (December to February) in engineering. Disciplines and engineering specialisations include, but are not limited to; Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Mechatronics, Manufacturing and Project Management.

Your time with us will see you using your skills in real-life situations, and give you access to experts in your field.

We also offer work experience to secondary school students from February to November, with placements available in Fabrication, Assembly, Logistics and Warehousing, and Finance and Administration.

Elphinstone will provide a better understanding of our industry and business, and help you choose your future career.

For Students and Parents

If interested in Work Experience please speak with your school coordinator. We will always endeavour to accommodate the selected dates (ensuring at least 1-month notice is given), but unfortunately, this may not be possible in some instances. We will work with your school on an alternative if possible.

Before starting you (along with your parents and school) must complete the relevant paperwork or online modules provided.

For Schools

  • Adequate timeframe - Elphinstone requires a minimum of 1 month's notice for all Work Experience (Work Placement) requests. Please note that there is no guarantee on certain dates, but we will do our best to find a solution if the requested dates are unavailable.
  • Paperwork - All paperwork must be signed by the student, parents and the school before placement can be confirmed.
  • Insurance - To be placed in the Elphinstone Work Experience Program, students must be covered by the school's liability insurance. All schools are required to provide evidence of adequate insurance coverage before placement can be undertaken.

To find out more about our Work Experience and Internships, please call our Human Resources team on +61 3 6442 7777 or email careers@elphinstone.com

Elphinstone Pty Ltd is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion.

Our History

Elphinstone is synonymous with underground mining

Dale Elphinstone has never been afraid of a challenge.  In fact he often tells people “we did it because we didn’t know we couldn’t”.

Since 1975, when he modified Cat surface mining equipment to suit underground applications out of his Father's shed on their Mooreville Road, Burnie farm, the Elphinstone name has been synonymous with underground mining.

Elphinstone’s first fully designed and manufactured underground mining product was a 13-tonne articulated dump truck, which was sold to Agnew Mining in 1983.  Three years later, in 1986, the first Elphinstone-designed and manufactured underground load haul dump (LHD), the R1500, was sold.  One short year thereafter, in 1987, the Company exported its first machine overseas to the Henderson molybdenum mine in Clear Creek County, Colorado.

The Caterpillar OEM customer continued to develop and refine their underground mining equipment range, which led to their specialisation in LHDs and articulated dump and ejector trucks.  All products were built around Cat components and sold via Cat Dealers globally.

Between the years 1975 and 1995, Elphinstone delivered underground mining machines to over 50 locations around Australia and more than 35 global export sites across 5 continents.

Elphinstone’s success quickly drew the greater attention of Caterpillar and the two parties established a 50/50 joint venture in 1995, creating the business known as Caterpillar Elphinstone Pty Ltd.  Five short years later, Caterpillar exercised their option to purchase the remaining 50% of the business in 2000 and eventually replaced the Elphinstone name with the world famous Caterpillar trademark.

Not that Caterpillar has ever been far removed from the Elphinstone story.

Dale Elphinstone’s relationship with Caterpillar began in 1966 at the age of 15 as an apprentice with Victorian and Tasmanian Cat Dealer, William Adams. Following his trade qualification came employment as a Field Service Mechanic across Tasmanian and King Island mine sites, and for a period of two years, with Canadian Cat Dealer, Finning.

Some 20 years after commencing his apprenticeship with the Cat Dealer, Dale's progressive thinking and entrepreneurialism enabled him to realise his lifelong dream of becoming a Cat Dealer Principal - cemented with his 1987 purchase of the same Victorian and Tasmanian dealership, William Adams.

Now, over 45 years later, Elphinstone is manufacturing specialised Underground Mining Support Vehicles, Mine Extraction Devices (MED), Electrical Harnesses, and surface mining solutions, including the Haulmax 3900 extended-distance off-highway haulage truck and W35 Water Tank Module customised to suit Caterpillar articulated trucks.

Together, Elphinstone and Caterpillar have manufactured more than 5000 underground and surface mining vehicles from their collective facilities in Burnie over the past 40 years.

Elphinstone Pty Ltd History
Above left: 1975 - Dale commences working out of his dad's shed.
Above right: 1976 -  Dale's first house and workshop.

Elphnstone Pty Ltd History
Above left: 1977 - Dale B Elphinstone P/L first employee photo.
Above right: 1982 -  "Real engineering".

Elphinstone Pty Ltd History
Above left: 1983 - AD13/17 the first Elphinstone designed and manufactured underground articulated dump truck. Above right: 1986 - The R1500 LHD was the first Elphinstone designed and manufactured underground loader.

R2900 LHD
Above: R2900 LHD

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About Us

45 years in the mining industry

Elphinstone Pty Ltd is a leading manufacturer of quality products for the global underground and surface mining industries. The product range includes specialised underground support vehicles and surface mining solutions including extended-distance off-highway haulage trucks and water tanks to suit Caterpillar articulated trucks.

The Elphinstone® range of Underground Mining Support Vehicles includes agitators, motor graders, personnel carriers, delivery trucks, service trucks, water cannons, water tanks, and other specialised support equipment.

The Elphinstone MED® Mine Extraction Device performs safe, low-impact extractions of bogged or buried underground equipment. The MED® is manufactured and engineer-certified with a pulling capacity of up to 360 tonnes.

The Haulmax® 3900 series truck is purpose-built for extended distances, off-highway, and surface mining applications and is available in three separate configurations: including ore haulage, service, or water cart applications. It can also be configured as a 160-tonne low-bed float.

The Elphinstone W35® Water Tank Module, designed to fit Caterpillar 740C, 745C and 745 articulated truck chassis, is utilised for dust suppression in the construction and mining industry. The tank has a capacity of 35,000 litres with five fully adjustable and individually controlled spray heads, a water cannon, and many other features.

Based in Tasmania Australia, the company continues to support, and rely upon the specialised design, engineering, and manufacturing knowledge of the skilled local workforce. This highly competent and advanced manufacturing supply chain has steadily evolved over its 45-plus-year association with the global mining industry.

Our Values

Our people are talented and live our values in every action of the day. Despite our individual differences, we are one company united by these values, they define who we are as people. Elphinstone people understand our business model, have a passion for customer service, and put Respect, Teamwork, Integrity, Customer Service, Excellence, Initiative, and Ownership into action every day.

  • RESPECT - We value people and relationships.
  • TEAMWORK - We win by working safely together.
  • INTEGRITY - We do the right thing.
  • CUSTOMER SERVICE - We go the extra mile.
  • EXCELLENCE - We take pride in what we do and make.
  • INITIATIVE - We take the lead.
  • OWNERSHIP - We take accountability for delivering on our commitments.

Elphinstone Group (Aust) Pty Ltd Corporate Profile

VIEW CORPORATE PROFILE

Building O (Ormsby Street) Facility: State of the art, single flow, multi model manufacturing facility for all of our CAT OEM products including our range of Elphinstone underground support vehicles, Haulmax 3900 off highway trucks and Railmax Road Rail Excavators.

Elphinstone Pty Ltd Terra Nova Facility
Building O (Ormsby Street) Facility: State of the art, single flow, multi model manufacturing facility for all of our CAT OEM products including our range of Elphinstone underground support vehicles, Haulmax 3900 off highway trucks and Railmax Road Rail Excavators.

Elphinstone Pty Ltd Wilson St Facility
Building W (Wilson Street) Facility: Research and New Product Development. Warehousing and Logistics.

Elphinstone Pty Ltd Terra Nova Facility
Building H and Building S (Terra Nova Drive): Dedicated OEM partnership and electrical harness manufacturing facilities.

Elphinstone and Caterpillar Testing Facility
Elphinstone/Caterpillar Burnie Proving Ground.