Career stepping stones come from tapping into networks
Asking around his networks for work opportunities paid off for former Hillcrest High student Ruan, who is working as a machine operator at Marshall Profiling while he works towards starting an apprenticeship.
TOP TIP: “Using family and friend connections to find jobs is helpful, especially if you don’t know where to look!”
Ruan gave us the goss on how he started his career, what he enjoys about it, and some inside info…
Ruan Viljoen
Machine Operator
A Chat with Ruan about his role
Ruan Viljoen
Former Hillcrest High School Student
How did you get into this job?
I finished school in year 11 having completed my level 3, then I went straight from school to Wintec and did a NZ Certificate in Engineering (Level 3). Once I finished, I started looking around for potential jobs. One of my mum’s friends suggested Marshalls and so I applied and got hired at Marshall Profiling. Using my family connections to find jobs was helpful because I didn’t really know where to look for work.
What interest did you have in this sort of work?
I always wanted to do something along these lines, and working with my hands has always been something I’ve been good at. I’m not really “book-smart” so I prefer doing hands on work and machine operating was just that.
What do you love about being a machine operator?
Working here you get to see what you make and see the results. We get to see our product go over to JP Marshall where they weld it together. It is cool to be able to see where our product goes and see it all come together.
What are some skills you have learnt while working?
Learning how to calculate angles and to operate machinery. You also learn what tools are used where and what they are used for. Communication is something I have also learnt. Health and safety is important too, come in and put on all your proper PPE gear, ensuring your safety.
What was a challenge you had starting work? How did you overcome this?
I start work at 5am and I am not a morning person! Getting used to waking up at 4am has been hard. I normally just set heaps of alarms and make sure I don’t stay up on my phone until midnight.
The first time I had to use the crane and machinery on my own was stressful and I was scared I was going to make a mistake but in the end it all worked out fine. The more times I did it, it became easier and easier. It can feel like you are jumping in the deep end, but you just need to get stuck in and figure it out. I have made a few mistakes but the important part is that you learn from these mistakes so you don’t make them again.
What do you like most about working at Marshall Profiling?
The work environment and the people here are very nice, I find everyone is always happy.
Ruan’s tasks as a machine operator include…
Laser Cutting – premium cutting with speed and precision in materials such as carbon, stainless or aluminium up to 20mm thick.
Plasma Cutting – accurate cutting of medium to heavy plate.
Pressing – accurate folding of light, medium and heavy plate. Marshall’s tooling extends sheet processing capabilities into carbon, stainless and aluminium folded sheet and plate.
Rolling – Marshall rolls carbon, stainless and aluminium materials in light and heavy sections.
Machining – drilling, tapping, countersinking and a range of other plate machining services.
Oxy Fuel Cutting – straight, clean cutting of sections 60mm to 200mm thick.
“Working with the pressing machines is my favourite. It’s physical work and keeps you busy all day long, so I find time goes by quick. The pressing machine has compressed oil and two pistons that press down on the metal and bends it to different angles. There are lots of skills to learn which keeps it interesting and engaging.”
Ruan’s tips for starting out
What qualifications or subjects do you think are useful?
You don’t necessarily need anything to get started as a machine operator. But if you want to do an apprenticeship, I will say it is good to take maths and science subjects in school. I also took metal work and woodwork, which are hands on subjects and gave me good skills. You should aim to get NCEA Level 2 before leaving school. I also had a pre trade that I got through Wintec while I was at school.
What was something you wish you knew before leaving school?
I wish I knew that I would have to use maths more than I expected to. I have found it really does apply when reading angles and working with different formulas.
If someone was thinking about becoming a machine operator what is something they should know?
It’s probably physically harder on your body then you would think. It’s important to know how to properly lift something to protect your back or your body.
What is your advice for someone new to the workforce?
Find someone who has lots of experience to learn from and make sure to ask as many questions as you can. Asking questions doesn’t hurt and it is always good to know more than one way to complete something. It doesn’t hurt to learn from multiple people.
About Marshall Profiling
Did you know foundations of Marshall Profiling were laid in the 1950s by the original JP Marshall Engineering team led by John Marshall?
Today Marshall Profiling is still in the family, with a large fully equipped workshop in the heart of Hamilton. Prospective engineers often start out in the business before moving across to start an apprenticeship at JP Marshall.
The business offers a stand-alone cutting centre specialising in CNC plate and sheet processing services across an extensive range of carbon, stainless and aluminium materials form 0.5mm to up to 200mm thick.
Find out more www.marshallprofiling.co.nz
Learn more about Marshall Profiling
marshallprofiling.co.nz
Download a Snapshot of Ruan’s Career Profile
