From Road Trips to Welding Sparks: Bowen’s Career Kickstart
Bowen O’Sullivan didn’t plan to become a heavy fabricator – he just came home from overseas, hit the road, and Googled engineering shops in Hamilton. That random search led him to JP Marshall, where he now helps build big steel structures and learns high-tech skills like TIG welding.
With no fabrication experience but a diploma in civil engineering, Bowen jumped into an apprenticeship and discovered a trade that’s hands-on, creative, and full of growth. His advice? Stay humble, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to start from the bottom—because with the right attitude, you can build a solid future, one weld at a time!
Bowen O’Sullivan
Heavy Fabrication Apprentice (Level 4)
Bowen’s Top Career Tip
“It can be tough to get started. Patience is important, and it’s good to do a pre-trade first. Even though it’s not essential, focusing on math and physics at school helps. You have to start at the bottom and work your way up.”
A chat with Bowen about his role
What does it mean to be a heavy fabricator?
Heavy fabrication involves a wide range of work. A lot of my work is welding together individual pieces of steel to construct a larger product. When piecing together products, we use fastening techniques along with our welds to form the final product.
How did you get into this career?
I came home from overseas, and I didn’t have a job. I was just driving around, travelling the country, and I looked on Google Maps for engineering shops in Hamilton, and engine stuff showed up. I was previously in another industry, and one day I had a change of heart. I wanted to learn a practical and hands-on skill that I could also use outside of work and improve on at home. Welding had always been appealing to me as well.
How did you end up working at JP Marshall?
When I moved back to New Zealand I needed a job, so I looked up engineering companies in the Waikato region on Google and found JP Marshall. I went in there with my CV, had an interview about two weeks later, and ended up getting a job with them.
Did you have any qualifications in heavy fabrication, or complete any studies?
No, I had no experience in fabricating. I studied a diploma in Civil Engineering. So that helps—a different kind of engineering, obviously—but it was just a ticket into this.
How long will your apprenticeship take to complete?
It will take me about three and a half to four years. I’ve got to get 8,000 hours typically, but sometimes if ATNZ is happy with you when you’ve finished your bookwork, they’ll reduce it to about seven and a half. (ATNZ stands for Apprenticeship Training New Zealand. It is an organisation that provides apprenticeships and industry-relevant training programmes, primarily focused on the engineering and manufacturing sectors.)
Can you explain what welding is to someone who doesn’t know what welding is?
Welding works by using electricity to heat and melt steel so that two pieces can be joined together. Extra steel, called filler material, is added to form a molten pool of metal, which the welder moves along the seam. As it cools, the seam closes.
What technical skills have you learned while being on the job?
Welding is the big one. I’ve also learnt plasma cutting, which uses electricity and compressed air to melt and cut metal, and gas cutting, which uses a chemical reaction between a flame and metal to cut thick mild steel.
What was it about this career that interested you?
I was interested in a trade I could do in my spare time. Welding is very versatile, and I understood that if I got good at welding, it could take me places.
Bowen O’Sullivan
Heavy Fabrication
Apprentice (Level 4)
Bowen’s Top Tips
What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?
Learning to TIG weld has been one of the toughest challenges I’ve faced so far. (TIG welding is a type of welding that uses a super-hot spark to melt metal and join pieces together. It’s great for working with thin metals like stainless steel and aluminum. The name stands for Tungsten Inert Gas, because it uses a special tungsten tip and a gas (usually argon) to keep the weld clean and strong. It’s a really precise and tidy way to weld, but it takes practice to get good at it!) Developing new skills and refining them takes time, but through consistent practice and perseverance, I’ve been able to make steady progress and overcome those challenges.
What kind of interpersonal skills have you learned while working?
A key part of this trade is learning to take on information from others and staying humble throughout the process. I’ve come to realise how valuable communication is—being open and transparent not only builds trust but also earns respect. Owning mistakes and being completely honest are essential to growing both personally and professionally.
I’ve learned that there are no ‘stupid’ questions. Pride can often get in the way, but coming into this trade a bit older, I had no hesitation in admitting what I didn’t know. I made a point of asking every question, no matter how simple it might have seemed—even if the answer was obvious to others with decades of experience. Surprisingly, this approach earned respect, as people valued the willingness to learn openly.
What kind of person would suit working in this industry or in your role?
Someone who’s practical and creative, with a willingness to learn and work in a team to achieve shared goals. Enjoys getting their hands dirty and is motivated to keep improving and get better.
If someone started at Marshall Profiling and you know they want to move up to JP Marshall, what would your advice be for them?
Get the basics right when you’re there. If you’re there for long enough, you’re going to learn everything there is to learn. Turning up early, working hard, being a team player—that really helps. A lot of the time, younger fellas will go down there thinking they know everything, but then they don’t have the proper work ethic, and it can be a turn-off for managers.
JP Marshall: Where Big Ideas Get Built!
Ever wondered how massive steel structures, grain silos, or custom metal parts come to life? That’s where JP Marshall Engineering and Marshall Profiling step in—two companies based in Hamilton that turn metal into magic!
What They Do:
- JP Marshall (JPM) is one of New Zealand’s top industrial engineering companies. They’ve been around for over 65 years, building everything from giant steel frames to grain storage systems and custom machinery.
- Marshall Profiling is like the cool cousin that cuts, shapes, and prepares metal using high-tech tools like laser cutters, plasma machines, and CNC gear. They’re the first step in the journey before the metal gets welded and assembled at JPM.
Why It’s a Great Place to Start Your Career:
- Hands-on learning: You’ll get to work with real tools, machines, and materials—not just sit in a classroom.
- Supportive team: They’re known for having a family-like vibe, where everyone helps each other grow.
- Training & apprenticeships: Whether you’re into welding, machining, or fabrication, they’ll teach you the skills you need.
- Epic social club: Think skydiving, paintball, rugby games, and more—yes, they actually do this!
Has there been a standout memory for you in this role?
Probably being chosen to work on a big room tank project early on, which felt like being fast-tracked onto a major job.
What do you like about working at JP Marshall? What is it about these guys that makes you want to be here?
JP Marshall offers a great family-like and supportive working environment. The variety of work keeps things interesting, and the team is excellent, backed by good facilities that make it an enjoyable place to work.
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