N E W S 6 September 2016 Engineering dream career gets dad a job too Ben Norton is working in his “dream career” and helping his father along the way. The 20-year-old mechanical engineering apprentice at Compac Sorting Equipment, Auckland is in his third year of his apprenticeship and loves every minute. “By the end of each weekend I look forward to heading in to the engineering workshop on Monday. I get paid to pursue and learn more about my passion every day,” says Ben. An unfortunate turn of events for his family turned into an opportunity for his father. “Dad was made redundant in late 2014. I was able to recommend him at work and organise a trial for him. Everyone admired his attitude and ability and he was quickly made permanent as a factory assembler,” he says. “It’s been almost two years and now he’s the sub-assembly coordinator, as well as being on our health and safety board. He has managed all this with no engineering background. My mum tells me she’s never seen him so happy to go to work. It really feels good to be able to give back to my family after all the support they’ve shown me.” A former Macleans College student, Ben took engineering unit standards at school which fuelled his passion for the industry. “When I was picking my subjects for school, I was weighing up between computing and mechanical engineering. I listened to my mum who said, ‘why not try engineering? You make something you can keep forever. You might find you don’t want to be on a computer all day’. I thought – why not? And I’m certainly glad I did,” he says. “I achieved top marks in engineering two years in a row at Macleans College and wasted no time in starting a trial for my apprenticeship the day after my last exam.” Now at the tail end of his apprenticeship, Ben is using his skills and experience to inspire others. “Towards the beginning of my apprenticeship, I was invited to give a presentation at Auckland University of Technology to share my story about how my time at school prepared me for my apprenticeship, as well as the benefits of doing an apprenticeship to an audience of teachers, lecturers and apprentice managers. I received a ‘BBQ Award’ from the owner of Compac Sorting Equipment for my efforts,” he says. “Since doing this presentation, I have been lucky to feature in two videos promoting apprenticeships. I would hope my colleagues, friends and bosses see me as an honest bloke with a good attitude who genuinely wants to learn and help out.” Ben is thankful to the team at Compac and industry training organisation Competenz for all their support. “I’m grateful to Compac Sorting and my production manager Andrew Jackson for seeing the potential in me, and giving me this amazing start to my engineering career,” he says. “I love the blend of mental and physical accuracy and exertion required by fitting and machining. I have a genuine interest in the theory material as it’s not only highly relevant and a good reference for my everyday work, but also great learning for my passion as an avid car enthusiast. I couldn’t be happier beginning my career with an apprenticeship." The 2016 SKF National Maintenance Engineering Conference is set to become a Mecca for young engineers with the announcement of a major conference participation package for apprentices and engineering students. Participation pricing for the two-day national event are already the lowest in the southern hemisphere at $795+GST per person, however the announcement of a special apprentice and student package at $320+GST per person represents great value for people new to industry and wanting to grasp the opportunity to learn and network. Organised by the Maintenance Engineering Society of NZ, the annual event reflects the ethos of the society in embracing and developing engineers. Society members need no convincing of the importance of nurturing each new generation and the organisers are backing the radical move to open up access to apprentices and students. According to event director Craig Carlyle, “This event already has a significant focus on engineering careers with the Bill Buckley Engineering Scholarship and the Competenz Stuart Tolhurst Apprentice Trophy being presented during proceedings. This year we have added our training village offering short courses on a wide range of technical and line management topics such as asset management, RCA, mechanical seals, materials and health and safety before the conference proper. Add to this over 60 major industry suppliers in the exhibition hall, two days of inspiring and informative papers from our multi-national panel of speakers and the chance to meet with potential future employers and I know where I would be if I was starting on a career in engineering.” For apprentices on a time budget, a oneday pass is also offered a $190+GSTpp. Details and registration can be found online at www.mesnz.org.nz/conference/ registration/ The 2016 SKF National Maintenance Engineering Conference will be held the Claudelands Event Centre in Hamilton on November 9 and 10. As well as preconference training opportunities, the exhibition hall will be open for invited guests and pre-registered members of the public from 2-5:30pm on Tuesday, November 8. MESNZ conference attracts apprentices, students
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