Graduate Engineering Trainee-HSE

About AkzoNobel

Since , we’ve been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people’s lives and protect what matters most. Our world class portfolio of brands – including International, Sikkens and Interpon – is trusted by customers around the globe. We’re active in more than countries and use our expertise to sustain and enhance the fabric of everyday life. Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It’s what you’d expect from a pioneering and long-established paints company that’s dedicated to providing sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today – while creating an even better tomorrow. Let’s paint the future together.

© Akzo Nobel N.V. All rights reserved.

Build a Safer, More Sustainable Future with AkzoNobel

At AkzoNobel, we are committed to creating a safe, healthy and sustainable workplace for our employees, contractors, customers and communities. As a global leader in paints and coatings, we believe that safety and sustainability are fundamental to everything we do.

Our Graduate Trainee Program (HSE) is designed to accelerate the development of future Health, Safety and Environment leaders through hands-on experience across manufacturing, logistics, warehousing and distribution operations throughout Australia.

As a Graduate HSE Trainee, you will work alongside experienced HSE professionals, operational leaders and site management teams to support the implementation of AkzoNobel's Health, Safety and Environment strategy. This structured development pathway offers exposure to multiple operational sites, strategic improvement projects and leadership opportunities, providing a strong foundation for a long-term career in HSE.

What You'll Be Doing

HSE Systems & Compliance

• Support the implementation and continuous improvement of AkzoNobel's HSE Management Systems across manufacturing plants, warehouses and distribution centres.
• Assist operational sites in maintaining compliance with company standards, Australian legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in HSE audits, inspections and compliance reviews.
• Support the management and closure of corrective and preventive actions arising from audits, incidents and risk assessments.
• Monitor HSE performance indicators and prepare reports for management review.

Risk Management & Incident Prevention

• Participate in workplace risk assessments, hazard identification and risk reduction initiatives.
• Assist with incident, near-miss and unsafe condition investigations using structured root cause analysis methodologies.
• Support the development and implementation of corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Promote proactive safety behaviours and a strong reporting culture.
• Assist with contractor safety management and permit-to-work processes.

Manufacturing, Logistics & Distribution Support

• Provide HSE support across manufacturing facilities, warehouses, transport operations and distribution centres.
• Work with operational teams to improve workplace safety, ergonomics, process safety and environmental performance.
• Participate in safety committees, toolbox talks and operational reviews.
• Support Process Safety Management (PSM) initiatives where applicable.
• Assist with emergency preparedness planning, drills and response improvement activities.

Environmental & Sustainability

• Support environmental compliance programs including waste management, emissions control, chemical management and pollution prevention.
• Contribute to sustainability initiatives aligned with AkzoNobel's People. Planet. Paint. strategy.
• Participate in environmental risk assessments and improvement projects.
• Assist with environmental and sustainability data collection, analysis and reporting.

Training, Engagement & Culture

• Support HSE training programs, awareness campaigns and employee engagement initiatives.
• Promote a positive HSE culture through effective communication, coaching and visible leadership.
• Develop presentations, communication materials and safety campaigns.
• Build strong working relationships with stakeholders across multiple business functions.

Continuous Improvement & Projects

• Lead and participate in HSE improvement projects across manufacturing and supply chain operations.
• Use data analysis and problem-solving techniques to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
• Apply continuous improvement methodologies to strengthen HSE performance and operational effectiveness.
• Benchmark industry best practices and recommend innovative solutions.
• Support national HSE programs and strategic initiatives.

About You

You are a recent graduate with a passion for creating safer workplaces, protecting the environment and driving continuous improvement.

Qualifications

Recent completion of a bachelor’s or master’s degree in:

• Occupational Health & Safety
• Chemical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Process Engineering
• Industrial Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Or a related discipline

Experience

• Up to 2 years of professional experience.
• Internship, project or practical experience within HSE, manufacturing, logistics, chemical processing or industrial operations is highly regarded.

Skills & Attributes

• Strong passion for Health, Safety and Environmental excellence.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability.
• High learning agility and adaptability.
• Ability to influence and build relationships across all levels of the organisation.
• Demonstrated leadership through university projects, student organisations or extracurricular activities.
• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• Ability to analyse data and identify trends and improvement opportunities.
• Willingness to travel regularly across Australia.
• Current driver's licence.
• Desire to build a long-term career in HSE leadership.
• Commitment to AkzoNobel's values, behaviours and sustainability principles.

Preferred

• Knowledge of ISO and ISO management systems.
• Awareness of Australian WHS legislation.
• Understanding of risk assessment methodologies.
• Familiarity with incident investigation and root cause analysis techniques.
• Exposure to manufacturing, warehousing or logistics environments.

Why Join AkzoNobel?

• Structured graduate development pathway within Health, Safety & Environment.
• Exposure to diverse manufacturing and supply chain operations across Australia.
• Opportunities to work on strategic projects and national HSE initiatives.
• Mentoring and coaching from experienced HSE and operational leaders.
• Career progression opportunities within a global organisation.
• The chance to make a meaningful impact on safety, sustainability and operational excellence.

If you're ready to launch your career in Health, Safety and Environment and contribute to a safer, more sustainable future, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply now and start your journey with AkzoNobel.

At AkzoNobel we are highly committed to ensuring an inclusive and respectful workplace where all employees can be their best self. We strive to embrace diversity in a context of tolerance. Our talent acquisition process plays an integral part in this journey, as setting the foundations for a diverse environment. For this reason we train and educate on the implications of our Unconscious Bias in order for our TA and hiring managers to be mindful of them and take corrective actions when applicable. In our organization, all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age or disability.

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