National Apprenticeships Program director Alan Sparks said the mass recruitment drive was an "unprecedented opportunity for talented Australian workers to secure a job within the rewarding resource sector".

"Bechtel is a proud local employer," Sparks said. "And NAP has run intakes with Bechtel over the past 18 months to recruit from Flagstone and local surrounds."

"Many applicants have already been working in industry, in management roles in many cases, and certainly over a wide and diverse range of skills."

NAP was launched in early 2011 as a solution to the skills shortage in the minerals and energy sectors. It is providing workers for under-staffed projects in Central Queensland and Western Australia.

The key to the program is the recognition of prior learning that establishes whether applicants meet the NAP's minimum skills requirement.

Ideal applicants will have already completed part of an apprenticeship, be permanent residents with overseas qualifications not yet recognised in Australia, ex-members of the defence force or people with other trade related qualifications.

Applications must be lodged before April 7 online at www.national apprenticeships.com.au.