Q&A WITH A WELD AUSTRALIA MEMBER

Q&A WITH A WELD AUSTRALIA MEMBER

Arnekin Loftus, Formula OffRoad

Arnekin knew he wanted to have a career in the welding and fabrication industry, and even before enrolling into his Certificate III in Engineering-Fabrication trade course, he had achieved his general construction induction card. Arnekin started work straight out of school as a trades-assistant before getting an apprenticeship. His desire to take pride in all his work along with an ability to use his initiative to problem solve has resulted in swift career advancement for him. He has shown outstanding dedication and commitment to his Certificate III in Engineering at TAFE NSW, as well as his work at Formula OffRoad, and he recently won the Gold Medal for the Welding Category at the WorldSkills Regional Competition for Sydney West. Long term goals for Arnekin include working as an underwater welder or in the mining industry.

Can you describe your job?

I work at Formula OffRoad—it’s a small workshop in St Mary’s in New South Wales. We make tow bars, bullbars, nudge bars, rear steps and many other products for vehicles. My job at Formula OffRoad consists of running our plasma cutter, oxy-cutting, mandrel bending, and fabricating and welding of products. I also assist in designing and test fabricating new products.

What inspired you to choose a career in welding?

I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands and being able to create something from nothing. As a kid, I remember eagerly awaiting the chance to get into the metalwork shop and learn how to work with raw materials to create. When it was time for my first job, my grandfather suggested welding and so I started my apprenticeship.

What do you enjoy most about your job and welding?

I really enjoy the designing and test fabrication of our new products as it gives me the chance to be creative and challenge myself to create something functional strong and stunning.

Why do you think other young people should consider a career in welding?

I believe other young people should consider welding as a career because it’s a valuable skill to learn—being able to create and repair almost anything made of metal is a really valuable skills to have. Plus there are many positions available, in all sorts of industries, as well as specialised work out there that you can to upskill into.

Do you have any advice for young people considering a career in welding?

Welding can be dangerous and hard on the body. So, it’s very important to follow the safety regulations and be switched on while you’re on the job. If you are considering a career in welding have a look around at all the industries available and think about where you’d like to be in 20 to 30 years down the line. Don’t feel locked in to one position—have a look around and find what suites you best.

What is the most interesting project you’ve worked on?

This is a bit of a tough question—I work on a lot of the same projects day-to-day. But, I would say the most interesting project I’ve probably worked on is developing and fabricating new ladder racks for the Ram Dodge. I had to help design them with my manager to have the correct width rise and mounting points for easy installation and removal. They also had to have reinforcing beams that connect the two with the Ram logo. We tested these to hold around 800kg without any issues.

The other project I really enjoyed was the training I did to prepare myself for the WorldSkills Australia welding competition. I won the gold medal, which means that I will be competing in the national competition in Melbourne later this year.

Who has inspired you professionally?

That honour would have to go to my previous manager and my current one. They have both been extremely supportive and have pushed me to achieve everything I’ve done so far. They have both been extremely good teachers and I don’t think I’d be where I am without them.

What do you believe is the biggest challenge for the welding industry?

I believe the biggest challenge for the welding industry at the moment is the lack of skilled labour in the industry. It’s difficult to find anyone who knows what to do, how to weld properly, and how to be good at welding.

What about the biggest opportunity for the welding industry?

I believe the biggest opportunity in at the moment is that a lot of other downstream industries rely on welding. You need welding to create infrastructure and a whole range of other valuable assets. This creates huge volumes of welding work and plenty of job positions.

RAPID FIRE

What are your top 3 ‘bucket list’ items?

1. Visit every continent

2. Buy a house

3. Become a specialist in my trade.

If you could be famous, what would you want it to be for? My work.

If you could meet anyone, who would it be? I wish I could have met Steve Irwin before he passed; or maybe Neil Degrasse Tyson.

• Food: Mangoes

• Song: Move 2 Da Beat by Rooler

• Sport: Footy

What is your top tip for welding excellence?

Practice, practice and more practice.