Electricians
Dillon
Role: Electrician
Company: Violet Valley - Argyle
Why did you choose your particular career?
I didn’t want to study straight off and go to university so though about a trade. Why electrical? I thought it was a challenge.
It all started when a representative from a company visited my community and invited me for an interview where we chatted about what type of work I wanted to do. I said I would like to give a four—year apprenticeship a go. I think I was selected because of my literacy and numeracy skills.
Now I have started, I plan to finish the apprenticeship. When I do, I will have a certificate 3 in Electro Technology and also a certificate in instrumentation. The company will train me to operate all sorts of equipment and give me the chance to get my operator ticket on mobile equipment.
I have had lots of useful on-site career counselling and mentoring.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
- Working with my hands and learning different things
- The interesting and varied work
- Not having to sit at a desk all day - I can move around
- Working with other people in a team environment
- The rotating 12 hour shifts
- Living in the contractor's camp with a whole lot of other workers. Its just five kilometres from the mine and has a kitchen, dining room and pool.
I have lots of friends here and in my spare time I play darts, cricket and Aussie Rules and I can go swimming in the pool here.
What do you like least about your work?
When I started I found it hard to get to work on time and I didn't like the 12 hour shift. I am used to it now though.
Some days the work is a bit boring, but there's a lot of variety in the tasks I do.
What qualifications do you have?
I went to boarding school at Hale College in Perth when I was in Year 7 and stayed there until the end of year 12. I enjoyed it very much. But, I did quit school at the end of year 10 to work with my Dad for a while as a cattle station hand. After 10 weeks in the job, I realised that if I left it too long, it would be hard to get back into school education. I was very lucky, my Dad got me back into school.
Here at Argyle Mine, we all take part in the literacy and numeracy program. It goes for four hours, twice a week.
We also get one-on-one advice on budgeting, saving and investing our money. As an apprentice, I can get up to $32,000 a year.
How would you like your career to develop?
When I finish my trade, I think I could move to another mine, or else I could go into business with others in town. One day though, I might think about moving to another state with Rio Tinto if the company wants me to. But right now, I wouldn't go seeking it myself. I certainly wouldn't choose to leave the job yet and try and find work myself.
What advice have you for others who might be thinking of doing the same thing?
I have told all the young kids in my community what I'm doing. I've told them what is possible and that they should get into their school work right now. Later they can have their fun.
So my advice is - "Think about your education before you think about other things, or else you will struggle to get a job".
