It’s been an interesting week for Glen Innes High School student Mackenzie Williamson.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
She did her work experience at Council’s Lang Street depot, under the watchful eye of plant mechanic Damian McAlister.
“Foreman material”, was Damian’s verdict. Mackenzie learnt new skills and swung spanners around heavy duty equipment parked in the service area, awaiting repairs and maintenance.
Mackenzie always knew what she wanted to do, and the week at the workshop has confirmed her career choice is right on target.
“I helped to service some of the utes and machines at the quarry,” she said. “It’s very interesting work, and the staff have been very patient with me.”
The mechanical work that Mackenzie hopes to do in the future is all about fixing the big gear – the dozers, graders, plant and both heavy and light vehicles.
The high school’s career adviser organised this taste of things to come through work experience.
Students such as Mackenzie can opt for a school-based traineeship or apprenticeship towards their Year 11 and 12 program, and doing work experience in Year 10 helps students make such choices.
The school-based program gives students a one day per week and half of the school vacations exposure to work and training which is credited toward their apprenticeship or traineeship.
“She’s keen to learn, to get into the job and have a go,” Damian McAlister said. “That’s what you want on the workshop team.”
Mackenzie also gave Council “the tick” when asked whether she would recommend that students select to do work experience within the organisation.
“There’s so much variety, and the way staff welcome and help you is great,” she said. “They take the time to explain everything to you so that you can have a proper go at the equipment with the spanners.”