More than a partnership: Bengalla and Programmed supporting the local community
More than 9,000 people came together at the Bengalla Community Open Day on Saturday, creating a fantastic day of connection, activities and community spirit in the Upper Hunter.
Held at Muswellbrook Showground, the free family event brought together local families, community organisations, businesses and Bengalla’s workforce for a day of entertainment, interactive activities and an opportunity to learn more about the operation and the people behind it.
Bengalla Mining Company operates an open-cut coal mine near Muswellbrook in the NSW Upper Hunter. With more than 800 permanent employees, around 85% of its workforce lives locally across the Muswellbrook, Upper Hunter and Singleton areas.
For Programmed, the event was also an opportunity to celebrate our long-standing partnership with Bengalla and our shared connection to the local community.
A day for the community
The Bengalla Community Open Day brought together local families, community members and businesses for a day of activities, entertainment and connection.
Our Programmed team was proud to be part of the day, with our stall proving to be one of the busiest on site.
Games, activities and prizes created plenty of excitement throughout the day, and it was fantastic to see the prizes go home with members of the local community.
But beyond the activities, the day was about something bigger – bringing people together and celebrating the community that surrounds Bengalla.
A partnership built over many years
Programmed has worked alongside Bengalla Mining Company for more than five years, supporting the operation with people across traineeships and skilled trade roles.
Today, more than 150 Programmed people are working at Bengalla, contributing to the day-to-day operation while also living, working and building their careers within the local community.
Our partnership is about more than supplying people. It’s about helping create opportunities for people to build skills, gain experience and develop rewarding careers.
From entry-level opportunities and operator training through to traineeships and experienced trade roles, Programmed supports people at different stages of their careers, with training and development helping people build their skills and experience.
Programmed Energy & Resources supports mining and resources customers with workforce, production and maintenance solutions, including operators, trainees, apprentices, tradespeople and technical professionals.
“It’s fantastic to see the success of the Bengalla Community Open Day and the strong turnout from the local community. Our long-standing partnership with Bengalla is about more than the work we do on site – it’s about supporting the communities where we operate and contributing to opportunities that bring people together. We’re proud to support Bengalla and to see the positive impact of initiatives like this.” Joel Cribb, General Manager – Programmed Energy and Resources, North
Local jobs. Local opportunities. Real careers.
Our work with Bengalla is a great example of how strong customer partnerships can extend beyond the workplace and into the communities where we operate.
By helping connect people with employment, training and career opportunities, we’re proud to play a role in supporting the local workforce and contributing to the broader community.
Bengalla’s commitment to the Upper Hunter also extends beyond its operations, with a focus on supporting local communities through partnerships, sponsorships, education and employment initiatives.
Being part of events like the Bengalla Community Open Day gives us another opportunity to connect with that community — not just as a service provider, but as a partner invested in the people and places where we work.
We’re proud of our long-standing relationship with Bengalla Mining Company and look forward to continuing to support its people, its operation and the local community for many years to come.
A huge thank you to everyone who helped make the Community Open Day such a success — from the teams involved in planning behind the scenes to everyone who volunteered their time on the day.
It was a fantastic team effort, and we’re proud to have been part of such a great day for the Upper Hunter community.
