Trades

Are you a hands-on person with a keen eye for circuitry and connections? You might have a good link to a career as an Electrician in the gold industry.

Electricians design, assemble, install, test, commission, diagnose, maintain and repair electrical networks, systems, circuits, equipment, components, appliances and facilities for industrial and commercial purposes.

Activities

Electricians examine blueprints, wiring diagrams and specifications to determine sequences and methods of operation. They measure and lay out installation reference points, and select, cut and connect wire and cable to terminals and connectors.

They commonly use electrical and electronic test instruments to trace and diagnose faults, repair and replace faulty wiring and defective parts, position and install electrical switchboards, connect electrical systems to power supply and test continuity of circuit.

• Underground Electricians work on electrical plant and equipment that are used in underground gold mines.
• Automotive Electricians work on various motor vehicles such as light and heavy vehicles including various mobile plant trucks.

Work Environment

Electricians work predominantly outdoors attending to equipment or vehicles that may or may not be outside, wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). It can be hot and dirty at times, and would suit analytical people who enjoy manual work of a technical nature.

Knowledge

To work as an Electrician it is important to have a basic understanding in building and construction, mechanics, mathematics, technical design and customer service.

Skills

Skills required include troubleshooting, critical thinking, installation, repairing, active listening and coordination with others.

Specialisations

• Underground Electrician
• Automotive Electrician

Prerequisites

To secure work as an Electrician you need to have some high school education, with a diploma or the following certifications.

• Certificate III in Electrical Fitting
• Certificate IV in Electrical – Instrumentation
• Certificate II in Electrotechnology
• Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
• Certificate III in Engineering – Electrical/Electronic Trade

Do you like fixing things and assembling mechanical components in a workshop? You might enjoy a career as a Fitter and Turner.

Mechanics or Fitters and Turners fabricate, install, grind, mill and shape raw metal parts and tools, and assemble them to production machines and other equipment at mine sites.

Activities

Mechanics or Fitters and Turners study drawings and specifications to determine suitable materials, methods and sequence of operations, fit fabricated metal parts into products, check metal parts for accuracy and set guides, and control machine settings.

Common tasks include forming metal stock and castings, installing hydraulic and pneumatic pipes and lines, diagnosing faults and performing operational maintenance of machines.

Activities on the job include handling and moving objects, controlling equipment or machines, monitoring people and processes, checking for errors or defects.

Work Environment

Fitters and Turners generally work outside in workshops or on location wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) being exposed to high frequency noise and sounds, coordinating with other teams to make decisions on tasks, priorities and goals.

Knowledge

To work as a Mechanic or Fitter and Turner, it is important to have a basic understanding in building and construction, mechanics, technical design, mathematics, engineering and technology.

Skills

Skills required include active listening, coordination with others, quality control analysis and project management.

Prerequisites

You can secure work as a Fitter and Turner with a Certificate III in Engineering – mechanical trade which is often completed as part of an apprenticeship.

• Certificate II in Engineering (Mechanical Fitter and Machinist Pre-Apprenticeship)
• Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade
• Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade (Mechanical Fitter ZA)