Lance Adams didn’t grow up with machines. In fact, he reckons he’s not particularly mechanical at all: but now, after trying the Fitter Machinist industry, he’s thinking of opening his own business!
Now, Lance is a Fitter Machinist. He focuses on breakdown maintenance in the Tumbarumba Timber Mill. He also takes part in reconstructive work on the machines when they need an overhaul and does general day-to-day maintenance.
“I finished my apprenticeship last year.” Lance says. “I worked as a labourer at the mill, then went back to the farm. When the apprenticeships came up I took it.” Lance had had a friend who had been a Fitter Machinist apprentice, and Lance thought he’d give it a go.
Despite working in a timber mill, Lance doesn’t work with wood. “We know how to run the machines [in the timber mill]. Mainly so if we fix them on the weekend, we know how it run it. But, if they need a hand we’ll give ‘em one.” Lance laughs.
He has regular tasks includes going into preventative maintenance areas. “We check over the machines, do temperature checks, get a general overview of them. We see when they’re running - if they’re running shifts - and if they’re waiting for a machine if there’s a breakdown. On weekends, you’ll pull machines apart, find if there’s any problems, fix it up, get it ready to work for Monday.”
The work in the timber mill, for the Fitter Machinists, is on a 12 hour shifts. They might work for three days, have four days off, work for four nights, then have a week off.
“You only work 14 days a month,” says Lance. “But it’s good when you get the time off.”
Lance grew up on a farm, but had nothing to do with trades, or mechanics. “It was a bit of a culture shock to learn how to do things properly.”
“I would be the least mechanical person you’d meet!” he laughed. “I wanted to be a sparky, but they found someone for that, but they said, ‘what do you think about being a fitter?’
“I had a look at it, and it looked pretty good. The problem solving is like an electrician. The rest is different – but you need to be pretty clued on if there’s a break down.”
“The most satisfying part is when you come across a breakdown, and can fix it right up, and it starts running properly. It feels good.” Lance tells us. “There are always different problems, you’re always learning more, getting better at it. It’s a good way to be, where, you know that every day you’re going to come across a different challenge, when you can figure it out and do it well, it’s a good feeling.”
It’s so rewarding, Lance says, because the problem-solving can be quite challenging to start with. With the breakdowns, and need to have the knowledge to find the problem and fix it. “The problems that don’t occur all the time, you gotta be able to diversify yourself to figure out what’s going on, and how to fix it.”
And now?
While Lance is doing further study to increase his skill-base, a Cert IV, or a Higher Trade Certificate, he’s hoping to diversify his work in the future.
He’s decided to go one of two ways: “One way is either into engineering or maintenance management. The other way, is to go into the fabrication side open up my own business in a few years time.”
What personal qualities are needed for the job?
They’ve gotta have a high work ethic, be prepared to work with precision. I don’t think you need to be smart, as long as you’re willing to get in and have a go. As long as you’re willing to have a go and be willing to learn, you’d be a good fitter.
You don’t need to worry about being clean. It’s a pretty messy job! But generally, if people are keen to work, they’d do well.
Advice for people entering the industry?
When you’re at work or TAFE, put in 100%, If you’re in school, do a bit of metal engineering or woodwork, skill-based subjects. And maths. Maths is a good one. We use a surprising amount of Maths.
Just it’s good work, it’s good pay!
