Daniel Boyer from Boggabri and James Morris form Maules Creek were told of their success last week and attended a special function with thier parents on Wednesday.
They were given an overview of the company and met with representatives from Aston Resources and New England North West Group Training, while offically signing up for their respective four-year apprenticeship.
Aston Resources manages the Maules Creek Project, a large scale undevelopment multi-seam coal deposit north of Gunnedah.
The company will extract its first coal in the second half of 2012, with production expected to excected to exceed 10 million tonnes per annum from 2014.
Aston General Manager Lance Muir said that the boys were "very Excited" about their future and were to begin their training this year.
Around 100 students from the local are applied for the apprenticeships with the process involving and interview with a selection panel made up of representatives fro Aston and New North West Group Training.
The two groups worked in partnership to develop the program.
"We weren't sure of how many would apply but we were very happy with the response we got" Mr Muir said.
The 100 applicants were short listed to eight and from those, Daniel and James were choosen.
The boys will begin their apprenticeships with local business and will relocate to the mine site during construction.
Daniel will commence an electrical apprenticeship while James will train to become a heavy vehicle mobile plant mechanic.
Mr Muir said that Aston would be in the area for a "long time" and it was important that a local workforce uis developed through training.
"We are hiring a number of people in different positions and in doing so, we're well aware we need to train people here" he said.
"it's important we give these opportunities to local people.
"Here we have ambitious students who want to live and work in their local community - it is a perfect fit."
The apprenticeships were made offical at a fuction on Wednesday. From left, Justin Constable (Employment Placement Officer, New England North West Group Training), Daniel Boyer (Electrical Apprenticeship recipient), Grant Grant (Regional Manager, New England North West Group Training), James Morris (Plant Mechanic Apprenticeship recipient), Lance Muir (Aston Resources General Manager) and Craig Simmons (Aston Resources Construction Manager).