Apprenticeship Takes Simon To Antarctica
Ambition, drive, being user friendly and helpful has paid off for Whakatane Skills4Work apprentice Simon Jansen, with an opportunity that comes to few people.
He has been selected to join the team of scientists and engineers at Scott Base and will spend five months in Antarctica to help with maintenance of essential plant and machinery.
In what is described as an engineering position that is “far from normal” Simon will enjoy summer air temperatures ranging from -25°C in October to about 0°C by mid summer. Accommodation is basic but comfortable and due to the isolated location and nature of the work, all workers are on 24 hour call.
Simon is an 18 year old Skills4Work Group Scheme member who normally works as a Maintenance and Diagnostics apprentice with Progressive Engineering in Whakatane. He was chosen to join the Antarctica programme because he has demonstrated ability beyond his years, flexibility and a willingness to put his hand to anything.
He decided to apply for the Apprentice to Antarctica position after reading about a previous apprentice, Hayden Harrison of Wellington, who spend last “summer” on the ice.
He approached his Skills4Work Area Training Specialist, Amit Kumra, who helped Simon to do extra training and gain credits specific to the role. Kumra came away impressed by the highly motivated young man.
“He has been motivated right from the beginning – when he did the pre trade course he completed the mechanical reasoning and maths tests in half the usual time and scored 95 – 98%,” says Amit.
“He is frequently left in charge of other workers and was the first person chosen by Progressive Engineering to be trained on their new CNC machine. We never have a single problem with Simon and customers always ask for him.
“He stays on target, he achieves what he is asked to do, has a great attitude and is respectful to the other workers around him.”
Simon had the best possible start to an engineering apprenticeship, always having projects on the go at home and also helping out in his father’s workshop building jetboats, off road go karts and servicing equipment.
“I always wanted to be a fitter and turner and I got to do a lot of stuff that not many are able to do,” he says.
He recalls some of the spectacular projects, including building his first off-road go kart, which was capable of 90km – although this will pale to insignificance when the latest one is fired up with a 1000cc motorcycle engine, 12-13 inches of travel on all independent suspension and a predicted top speed of 180kph.
“It will be scary,” he says.
But the go kart and the refurbishing of his 1976 Toyota Celica – complete with a twin turbocharged V8 engine – will be put on hold while he enjoys the more sedate pace of a snowmobile and an audience of Emperor Penguins.
“This will be one of my life’s great experiences,” he says.
And yet another example of where an engineering apprenticeship can take a young person.
For Further Information Please Contact Tony Richards, Marketing Manager, Skills4Work.
Ph 0-9-526 3710
Email: t.richards@skills4work.org.nz