Multotec Australia’s Callan Gerick shares insights into his career journey so far in the quarrying and mining sectors.
When Callan Gerick wanted to start his career, one thing stood out in his decision-making process: culture.
“Every company has experienced tradespeople, and you can learn a lot from them, but what makes Multotec unique for me is the work environment,” he said.
“We really do feel like a family. We are a small team, and we have some big days, but every day is a positive environment to be in.”
Gerick is one of Multotec’s up-and-coming workers, alongside Orisi Vosuqa and Max Powell-Linforth, who have progressed from apprentices to qualified fitters and are key to its operations in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales. Multotec provides a ‘hands-on’ experience in learning a trade, with the benefit of being partnered with an experienced tradesperson.
In Gerick’s case, his mentor has more than 30 years of industry experience to share.
“My journey to become a qualified fitter has been a great learning experience; it is really understanding the how and why behind what we do,” he said.
“I would ask lots of questions and would sometimes doubt my work when I first started. Since completing my trade, I still ask questions, but now I’m confident in my abilities and know that I’m doing things the correct way.
“I have enjoyed it. I’ve learnt new skills and knowledge that I will keep with me for the rest of my career. Every day is hands-on and keeps me busy. There are a few tips I have learned along the way that are unique to my job, such as the sequence of parts to undo or easy ways to install or remove a part.
“That has helped with a lot of small challenges that come daily, like removing parts with bolts that are seized, which is a common trend in the damp and wet environments of a wash plant.
“Or trying different ways to remove bolts before cutting them with a grinder, as this is a lengthy process on site, including permits, fire watchers and things like that.”
Gerick has come a long way since starting as an apprentice. He is currently a shutdown fitter and site supervisor.
On maintenance days, Gerick can be found checking the oil, air filters, and airline fittings, ensuring the nuts on the plant are tight and that no components are damaged.
Other days are focused on component change-outs. This involves coordinating the use of an overhead crane to attach to parts as the team removes them with a rattle gun. Otherwise, the Multotec team conducts inspection days to ensure their customers are getting the best production from their equipment. The key, Gerick said, is getting the sizing of crucial parts right so he ensures components are measured within 0.1mm increments. Given Multotec’s expansive offering across the quarrying and other industrial sectors, there is always a range of equipment to work on during these days. Any given day could see Gerick working on screening equipment, cyclones, spirals, magnetic separators, chutes and more. Parts must be within spec for changeout size and logged in Multotec’s reporting system, Hawkeye. Gerick and his colleagues also create cyclone or screening reports for their customers on site, which can show the operator sizes of each part, when they are predicted to require a change-out, which replacement parts are needed, and more.
With a laundry list of tasks each day, Gerick said the variety of the work keeps him on his toes.
“I enjoy how alive the work environment feels; there is always so much happening,” he said.
“Cranes moving, bolts being cut, plates being welded. Everywhere you look, there is something happening. It’s a busy environment, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
Gerick said he looked forward to working on more Multotec projects and advancing his career in the industry.
“It’s great to be part of a really strong team at Multotec. Everyone supports each other and looks out for one another,” he said. “I’ve learnt so much from the team during my time here, especially from being on the job with senior fitters, and I can’t wait to build my skills further and learn more about the industry.” •
For more information, visit multotec.com
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