The award-winning Mining Skills Program at TAFE NSW Muswellbrook is helping 28 new apprentices start their careers.

Now in its 12th consecutive year, the 15-week program focuses on safety and also covers training in various hand tool skills.

A number of industry partners including Hitachi Construction Machinery's Muswellbrook Branch continue to be interested in the program and join as apprentice employers.

Sonia Liddiard, TAFE NSW industry and resources faculty director, is proud of the program and its evolution.

"The Mining Skills Program is effective because we continually engage a cross-section of stakeholders to ensure we address evolving industry requirements in the course syllabus and ultimately provide the local industry with a job-ready workforce," she told the Hunter Valley News.

Liddiard is also pleased with the equal employment opportunity on display from local industries.

"This year enrolments in the Mining Skills Program are up 16 per cent, 10 of our 28 apprentices are female and we are thrilled the program continues to attract both male and female apprentices," she said.

For more details on the program and eligibility contact the Hunter TAFE Foundation at hunter.foundation@tafensw.edu.au.