Electrician and apprentice receive state awards

A Coal & Allied electrician and apprentice have both received state awards for their achievements at TAFE.

Hunter Valley Operations Maintenance electrician Matthew Jones is studying to complete a Diploma of Engineering at the end of 2010, and received the award for his achievements in the Industrial Electronics course.

“Coal & Allied is funding three quarters of my studies, which I hope will help me get a position as an engineer on site,” Matthew said.

“My managers have been very helpful, allowing flexibility with my shifts to ensure I could attend my classes.”

Matthew is already applying learnings from the course, which covered amplifiers, digital electronics and microprocessors (small computers).

“Many pieces of equipment we use on site such as shovels and draglines contain microprocessors, so it’s great to actually understand the inner workings of these machines,” Matthew said.

Meanwhile, Coal & Allied / Novaskill apprentice Luke Thrift received a TAFE state award for the Heavy Vehicle Mobile Equipment trade course, as well as the Institute of Automotive Mechanical Engineers (IAME) state award for the highest average marks in Certificate III Heavy Vehicle trade for 2008.

“I started my apprenticeship in January 2006 learning basic skills at EnergyAustralia’s training facility in Newcastle,” Luke said.

“My first site placement was at Bengalla, and I’ve since rotated through Hunter Valley Operations and Mount Thorley Warkworth before returning to Bengalla.

“I’m due to finish my apprenticeship in January 2010. Receiving these awards has given me a great boost, and I look forward to a career in the mining industry.”

Pictured: (above) Matthew Jones accepts his award.

Pictured: (above) IAME’s Gerry Wubbles presents Luke Thrift with his award.

Pictured: (above, l-r) Mount Thorley Warkworth Maintenance Manager and apprentice programme sponsor Warrick Gloster, Gerry Wubbles from IAME, Luke Thrift and mentor, Bengalla project technician Ken Andrews.