Christian Gets Hands Greasy with Student Work Experience Program
Local Year 11 student Christian Bailey recently gained valuable hands-on experience in mechanics through a work experience program with the Clarence Valley Council. Over several weeks, Christian worked alongside skilled mechanics in the workshop, gaining insights into what it takes to be a mechanic in Local Government.
Workshop Supervisor Nick Smidt praised Christian’s enthusiasm and willingness to learn. “He was a bit shy at first, but over the course of the two weeks, he came out of his shell. Christian was always keen to get involved and showed enthusiasm towards every task handed to him,” said Smidt.
Due to the vast area of the Clarence Valley, mechanics often need to fix equipment on-site rather than bringing it into the workshop. “We got Christian involved in the field as well as in the workshop, which showed him what it’s like to not always be in one place. He learned how to adapt to his surroundings and work with the conditions at hand,” added Smidt. “He did great during his time with us, and he will make a fantastic plant mechanic if he decides to make this his future career.”
Christian initially chose the Clarence Valley Council for his work experience due to the depot’s proximity to the bus stop, making his commute convenient. However, after completing the program, he now highly recommends it to other students. “I’d recommend the program to any student because you get to work with a skilled team of mechanics who teach you new skills from basic to advanced mechanical work. You get to see the results of your hard work at the end of the day,” said Christian.
During his work experience, Christian assisted with several key tasks, including servicing the Council’s pool cars and preparing trucks for registration. “I’d had mechanical experience while working at home with my Dad, but working on heavy vehicles was a totally different experience. You need to use specialist tools for the larger components on heavy vehicles. I also got to work on trailer braking systems and regreasing wheel bearings,” he shared.
Christian was impressed by the variety of tasks performed by the Council’s mechanics. “I was surprised by the range of work the Council does because they do different tasks every day. It’s a great job if you want a more hands-on style of work with supportive co-workers. If you ever have a question, there was always someone there who could answer it,” he noted.
Reflecting on his experience, Christian sees a potential career path with the Council in the future. “I can definitely see a possible career path with Council in the future,” he concluded.
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