So, what exactly is a plant mechanic?
Well I can tell you it’s got nothing to do with gardening
or cars, for that matter.
No, the plant I’m talking about is more like a factory…
And in this factory there are massive machines!
Machines that are probably bigger than your house.
Machines that could probably build your house and everything in it!
Now a plant mechanic builds and fixes those machines.
So, I’m in my P.P.E, so how about we go find one,
to find out more about what it is that they do.
Plant Mechanics study drawings and specifications to decide what materials
and methods need to be used to build or fix heavy machinery.
This could be working on machines that build your computer,
to fixing a drill for a mine site.
They make sure it’s all running smoothly by setting guides
and settings on instruments, and implementing safety processes.
Today, we’re chatting with Jason, a plant mechanic from WesTrac Institute.
- Hey, Jason! - Hey!
- You must be Rebecca. - Yeah, I’ve got some questions about
- what it’s like to be a plant mechanic. - Come with me and I’ll show you.
Sweet!
Well Rebecca, here we are at the WesTrac Training Institute.
What would you like to know?
Jason, there’s heaps of awesome looking equipment in here; I just want to know,
what do you do in a typical day?
Well, one of the big positives of being a plant mechanic, is
that everyday is different.
For example, if a machine was to come in the morning,
we would diagnose the fault with the machine, and from there
go ahead and repair as required.
Where do the machines come from, who gives them to you?
A variety of sites, construction companies and builders around Perth,
and up in the Pilbara. So, everywhere.
Cool, what would you say the best part of your job is?
I’m a really hands on person. So, the best part of my day and my job
is pulling things apart, working out how they work
and putting them back to together again.
Now, are there different types of plant mechanics?
There are, yes. For instance, I’m a heavy diesel mechanic.
But there’s also marine, agricultural, industrial.
Huge list, you can get into any sort of field.
How come you decided to pick diesel mechanic?
I’ve always loved the big trucks, the big mine trucks, caterpillar trucks.
So we deal with all that sort of stuff; dozers, graders.
So it’s really interesting to me.
So your job is to find faults in different machines,
how do you detect those faults?
We have computer programs that we use to pick up where the faults are.
Doesn’t lead us exactly to the fault, but it gives us a good idea.
Cool, and what would you say the most challenging part of your job is?
Find those faults, definitely.
You know, we’ll have a real hard time trying to diagnose a fault, but
the satisfaction you get from diagnosing the fault and fixing the machine,
it’s awesome.
How long can it take you to actually fix a machine?
Ah, depends how far we go. Because we do small repairs,
right put to big rebuilds, and a rebuild can take up to about 3 months.
- Wow. - So that’s everything.
Okay Jason, now it’s time for you to give me the Edge, you ready?
- Yep. - Okay, so…
What characteristics are best suited to somebody who wants to get into this line of work?
Somebody that’s very hands on, somebody that’s mechanically minded with really good
communication skills, and I would say you have to be quite fit to do this job.
It’s quite physically demanding.
If you could list from school to today, what steps would somebody need to take
to become a plant mechanic?
Maths is a big one at school, as long as you’re doing okay at that.
While you’re at school, work experience in a mechanical workshop would be good,
or a metals workshop of some description. From there, you can get a pre-apprenticeship
or go in to your, straight into your apprenticeship.
And they usually take around 3 and half years.
Cool, and if you could do one thing differently but still end up where
you are today, what would it be?
I would try a bit harder in school and during my apprenticeship. But, to honest,
I’m happy with where I am at the moment.
I’ve always wanted to work for WesTrac and that’s where I am.
Awesome, well thank you so much for having a chat with me today, it’s been a pleasure.
No worries.