Page 32 - Climate Control News Aug-Sep 2020

REPORT
9Central Air Victoria apprentice Timothy variety of jobs from domestic installs through to it’s a great trade,” he said. After six months on the
Hamilton cannot remember a time when he didn’t have a passion for fixing things and tinkering with tools.
The 19-year-old, second year apprentice considers himself lucky to be able to do a job that he enjoys.
“What I like most about the job is working on the big refrigeration and air-conditioning sys- tems and working out what’s wrong, it’s just like doing a big logic puzzle, and they’re really fun to solve,” Timothy said.
“My dad has been a fridgie for my entire life, so it’s an industry that has always been a part of the family. He was even a teacher for a few years at Box Hill TAFE.
“When my father purchased a refrigeration and air-conditioning business, I got a job work- ing for him.”
Timothy says he originally planned to become an engineer but a couple of years on the job learning the trade has changed his mind.
“I might stick with this industry and when I’ve finished my apprenticeship as a fridgie, I might go back to TAFE and do an electrical apprentice- ship, so that there’s more of a range of stuff I’m able to fix,” he said.
10Adam Conroy is a third year ap- prentice at Air Cool Air Condition- ing and Refrigeration in Bathurst. Adam said he gets to tackle a wide
Many of our Top 20 find their work challenging and are keen to keep learning.
commercial projects. The 22-year-old tried his hand at a few things before becoming a RAC technician. “First I went to university, then I did a year of labouring but since I began this trade I haven’t looked back,” he said. “It all started when I worked for my mate’s dad just helping out over the weekend, soon after I began my trade.” While
“I WORK WITH PEOPLE THAT ARE EAGER TO TEACH AND SHARE THEIR KNOWLEDGE.” – APPRENTICE, OSCAR MILLER.
Adam is very happy with his current role, he would like to begin a second trade as an electri- cian. “Long term I would like to have my own set up and I think having both trades would put me in a good position.”
job, Liam joined AJ Baker & Sons and hasn’t looked back.
“This job isn’t about one specific task, there is plenty of variety; every job is different,” he said. While Liam is currently doing service jobs, he wants to remain working in supermarket refrig- eration and to eventually go into setting up stores. “Whatever happens I will definitely stay in the trade,” Liam said.
11
ing put to the test.
“I work with people who are eager to teach
and share their knowledge plus I get to work alongside family members,” Oscar said.
Once he is a fully qualified service techni- cian, Oscar wants to begin his second appren- ticeship as a sparky. “It will allow me to do more in-depth work with controls and com- mission large systems. Long term it would be great to eventually do a diploma in engineer- ing, then I can design systems mechanically and electronically.”
AJ Baker & Sons third year appren- tice, Liam Tuffley, became an ap- prentice by accident.
This 21-year old went for a job in- terview to become an electrician but the position was taken. Instead, they offered an apprentice- ship as a RAC technician so Liam gave it a try. “It was a bit random at the time but now I am glad,
12
Oscar Miller of Allied Air Con- ditioning and Refrigeration in Coffs Harbour is a fourth year
apprentice. Oscar is proud to have been born into a big family of fridgies and sheeties – there are 13 in total. Oscar said he was fascinated by the trade at an early age. The 22-year-old said he is constantly learning and his problem-solving skills are always be-
CLIMATECONTROLNEWS.COM.AU
32