Archer Enterprises, the third-generation family owned precision design and manufacturing engineering company, is ensuring that young people in the Central Coast and Greater Hunter continue to get opportunities for exciting technical careers supplying performance critical solutions worldwide.
The Somersby Industrial Estate based company has appointed another two teenagers, fresh from school, adding to the existing highly skilled and devoted team.
Brad Galea, 19, has stepped into a unique multi-tasking role which combines technical hands-on duties with production management and marketing. Interestingly, the Woongarrah teenager came from a non-engineering background (I.T. support),
“I wanted to experience something different, a career where I worked with people and every day was different. I wanted to develop myself a lot more and was willing to take on something I had never done before.”
“When I visited Archer for my interview I was really excited. Russ’ Byrne showed me around their Manufacturing Centre of Excellence. I hadn’t seen anything like their machine centres and other equipment in action before.”
“No two days are the same. I’m scheduling jobs, selecting and ordering materials, taking photos of all of our jobs for reference, helping with I.T. and working with our marketing team.”
Brad is currently studying Engineering Technical Certificate 3 at the University of Newcastle. To say he is enjoying himself is an understatement,
“This is a crazy life! I love it! It is such a unique role, and I owe it all to Russ and Brad having the courage to employ someone like me in the first place. We’re all young here and there is so much enthusiasm in the team to learn. Archer is a company which makes complicated never-fail products which are sold all over the world. It’s so good to see a local company here on the Coast making such a big impact.”
The second apprentice, Budgewoi 17 year old, Tom Walker, also appreciates the fact that no two days are the same at Archer,
“There is no such thing as a typical day or week. I operate the CNC machines, assemble parts, prepare materials for painting, do welding and grinding, as well as pack parts we have made, deliver them and pick up various parts for future projects.”
Tom was in year 11 and although he felt pressured to go on to university he always wanted an apprenticeship in the field of engineering. This is why he looked for opportunities, both through school and work experience, to develop his welding skills at such a young age.
The position he applied for at Archer – fitter/machinist – wasn’t what he originally had in mind,
"It's a job I never thought I would choose, but now I enjoy it and wouldn't look back."
Tom is now studying his Certificate 4 in engineering – CNC machining.
“On the first interview it was quite full-on as there was a lot to take in. I felt ready to take up the challenge. I was really impressed by the manufacturing equipment and the work place - the workshop was very tidy and clean, and everything had a correct place. This is all a reflection of Brad and Russell’s high standards.”
“It’s challenging work for a rewarding outcome.”
Precision engineering and manufacturing company Archer Enterprises has been recognised as one of Australia’s finest industrial companies by being a finalist in the nation’s top excellence awards for three years in a row. Archer operates from a world-class Manufacturing Centre of Excellence which features research and development, advanced 3D design, prototyping, product analysis, manufacturing, assembly area and a test laboratory all under the one roof.
BRADLEY GALEA THOMAS WALKER
Brad Galea (front centre) and Tom Walker (front right) have joined the rapidly growing team at local world-class engineering firm, Archer.