work experience

[Lolly]

My 15 year old nephew is to do work experience for a week in a couple of months time.

As he lives in the country I'm pretty keen to line him up with something interesting in the big smoke.

Spock reckons we could do with a weeks worth of child labour at the dojo and we could make it interesting by letting him catch the train, but I'm sure we can do better than that - right?

I did two weeks with the army in the transport and catering corp and had a blast (got to drive an APC and learnt to make the best swiss roll ever!) and my sister worked with the navy at Garden Island. I will give them a call to see if they still allow it, but I'd say that times have changed and it will be unlikely.

Other places I will try:

Airport Control tower (my nephew is a maths guru and I'd reckon this could actually be a possible career path)

Channel 7 / ABC etc

Any other suggestions - where did you do your work experience - where do you wish you could have done it?

[Sweetcheeks]

I did mine at The Weld Club in Perth (how my school let me do it at a gentlemans club i dont know). And also Scotch College.

A lot of places unfortunately seem against it these days due to occ health and safety etc etc. Which is pretty crappy....

Hopefully you find something he enjoys..... Also try Jandakot airport if he is into that sort of thing....

[Envy]

I did mine at The Weld Club in Perth (how my school let me do it at a gentlemans club i dont know). And also Scotch College.

A lot of places unfortunately seem against it these days due to occ health and safety etc etc. Which is pretty crappy....

Hopefully you find something he enjoys..... Also try Jandakot airport if he is into that sort of thing....

as long as the child has insurance and is willing to get the correct Safety equipment, that the company cannot provide (eg shoes) then they are basically looking for excuses.

I was as M M & D Wilson Diesel Mechanics‎ for my work experience. It was awesome.
even got a little 'bonus' for helping out knocking pistons out with the back end of a hammer is messy stuff.

[Lolly]

Jandakot would be great (might even get a joy flight!) - but is it possible to get there using public transport?

Michael my nephew is into mechanics so happy to explore options there.

Spock's latest suggestion - the morgue. I mean really. But then again, I'll put it to him - maybe 15 year olds have weird interests now days.

[Sweetcheeks]

Hmm not too sure about public transport out that way.....might have to check out the perth transport website for that one.

Mechnics, try some of the big places through welshpool, redcliffe.....cat machinery etc etc. I know someone that has done work experience with them before.

[Envy]

Have passed the message on to a mechanic friend of mine if he's interested, will get back if it's successfull.

[MMiikkee]

I did a weeks work experience at jandakot airport back in '99 at one of the flying schools, but if he's into mechanics there are also aircraft maintenance companies, and maybe even the aircraft refuellers! Unlike Perth airport, Jandakot isn't strictly 'security controlled' so you don't need a security clearance card, making it easier to get close to the action.

It may have changed, but a few years ago only one or two buses a day went past the airport, all the others turn off at Berrigan drive leaving about a 2k walk! I'm sure, however, someone would happily pick up / drop him at the corner!

Good luck!

[Lolly]

^^ thanks! I will give Jandakot a call. Although looking at their website there doesn't appear to a be a single number. Do you recall who you worked with?

He is also really good at golf and hockey. I'm not sure if there is any work prospects along those lines (say at Challenge stadium??) but just putting it out there to the collective PSB thinktank....

[=Stevo=]

not really any full-time hockey work, although afternoon/night work and weekend work are available at Curtin Stadium probably.


I'm sure there would be plenty of golf clubs willing to take someone on for a few weeks to help out, free labour basically aha

[Ken Oath]

Jandakot would be great (might even get a joy flight!) - but is it possible to get there using public transport?
.

My oldest has just finished his work experience, and he tried his hardest to get something at Jandakot, but no joy.

Lots of things have changed, security cards, etc.

Good luck, but everyone he tried, said they didn't do it.

[Cbr Junkie]

What kind of mechanics does he like lolly? I work as a diesel mechanic and we usually take on work experience people...would have to double check though.

[MMiikkee]

Lolly I don't think the airport itself does anything except charge ridiculous landing fees, but they may have an airport manager who drives around the airport inspecting the runway and stuff. Your best bet would be to search under flying schools and aircraft maintenance / avionics in the yellow pages. Maybe even call Qantas/Virgin/Skywest, you never know if one of them has a program. The company i did my work experience with went bust ages ago so unfortunately I can't help out there. Perth airport has lots of companies serving it too but as far as i'm aware anyone with tarmac access needs an ID or an escort. Between that and duty of care rubbish it looks like the nanny state is ruining another great opportunity for young people.

[Stephan]

How about Komatsu or Westrack? We got quite a few guys on here working for those companies...lots of big gear and possible oppertunities for the future!

[Sean'o]

Westrac (CAT) take on work experience kids now and then, will see if i can find a contact for you.

What astounds me is that you are doing the looking for him, does his school not organise this sort of thing for him? They did when i did work experience, maybe im just old and from another state.

[Desmo]

Want me to see if I can get him some work at Bristows? He might just end up washing helicopters, but if he asks enough questions he'll figure out how they work.
They are very cool mechanical objects.

[Sweetcheeks]

agree with desmo....helicopters are awesome. I could get him work experience with a helicopter maintenance company in derby (a good mate manages it) ... pity it isnt closer. Actually he has some contacts at Jandakot....ill email him

[deeman111]

I did mine at Pearce with the Airforce. Spent most of the time on the flightline helping get the planes (remember the old macchi's ) ready for flying. Also got to sit in the cockpit during some engine tests (full rpm while strapped to the ground, pretty cool for a kid)

I know the Army still do work experience as our C.O was asking for people to come in during the week and look after them. Unfortunately the APC's have all gone now so the best he might get is a drive in a landrover or a mog truck. But im sure they would get the guns out of the armoury for him to have aplay with and probably take him to the weapons simulator for some shooting fun (think the nintendo duckhunt, but with 3 massive screens and lots of guns)

[Lolly]

Thank you all. I spoke to him on the phone last night, and he was super enthusastic when I mentioned aircraft of any kind and certainly open to all the other ideas too.

I have one PM already (thanks SparkMonkey!) but if its not too much trouble to send me any contacts, that way between his mum and I we can give them a call so we can put the dates to them.

It would be good to see what options are out there, and then Michael can have a chat with them directly to see if one of them might be happy to take him on. He is a good lad - a bit country shy as to be expected but bright (dux last year) and cheerful and he is the school head prefect (proud aunty will stop gushing now).

And in case it matters to anyone, I just remembered he is actually only 14 as his birthday is not until December.

[shortSteve]

Things have changed... I did 3 lots in high school, first was with an "engineering company",thought i was gonna be looking at welding and machining, tolerances etc... They had just moved premises so my job was to help clean up the old one. lol. Atleast i got paid....
Second was with an elevator service company, there was some fun shit to do as a 16 year old flying up and down the inside of buildings. Was different and opened a few doors....
The best was with a small suburban mechanics place. Got to drive cars around the block, go out on "road tests" of there performance vehicle work, and even learnt the finer arts of driving technique. Was the best fun, i stayed for an extra week (3 in total), did engine and tranny fluid changes, some bigger mechanical stuff (new suspension bushes to a trans-am) and learnt why the early falcons running on gas shouldn't be started after pumping the accelerator...BOOM!

Good times...

But, nope, cant help ya with anything other than those great times. Thanks for the memories...

Oh, Jandakot airport FTW! Very helpful companies out there.

[gongzee]

Air traffic controllers get paid bucketloads if he ever becomes one, but the stress is obviously high. Getting to Jandakot will be a bit of a problem for your nephew since he can't drive (...or can he? >=] ). There aren't any useful buses around that area without having to walk half your life there. Didn't do any work experience myself so I can't help you there.