Micah Jensen

NAME: Micah Jensen

QUALIFICATION: Certificate III Engineering – Fabrication / Patternmaking

EMPLOYER: Australian Industry Group Apprentice and Trainee Centre

HOSTED TO: Bradken Resources Pty Ltd

Summary of Achievements to date:

• Early TAFE Completion 2.5 years
• Completed VCE at Wodonga Senior Secondary School in 2011
• Year 11 top 1% for the state of Victoria Chemistry Competition
• Year 11 Captain of the Schools Solar Car Challenge Team
• Received several Academic Excellence Awards in Maths, Science & Technology in Year 11
• In Year 10 (2009) participated in Australian Defence Force Initiative – Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award

Interests include:

• Designing computer systems / IT
• Volunteering at his local church
• Playing soccer
• Construction of his new home

Key “on the job” achievements in their apprenticeship / traineeship

Can Crusher – MJ Engineering

Throughout his apprenticeship Micah liked to push the boundaries with new practices and handmade custom tools to help him complete jobs quicker and more efficiently while managing time restrictions and requirements for production.  He completed further training with Bradken in Foundry Processes and CAD computer design and was given a project to come up with the design for a strong handle for use on heavy gauges and other items.  He was responsible for doing the CAD design, modelling, making of the pattern and also the final product manufacture.  These items are currently being utilised in Bradken sites in China and around Australia due to the ergonomic design, general usability and light weight properties.  This was a huge achievement on Micah’s behalf and served to highlight his technical and practical knowledge and skill set.

A high proficiency in their field of study and work

Showing a high level of initiative Micah completed his Apprenticeship TAFE component at the 2.5 year mark.  At his host, Bradken, Micah has become recognised as the ‘go to person’ for more complex and intricate work to be carried out.  He has demonstrated an ongoing commitment by engaging in further training which incorporates CAD design and more practical foundry training by working with other business units within the company.  Micah hopes to acquire new skills with experience and would like build on these existing qualities in order to be a well-respected leader at Bradken and the local community in the future.

Diagram: Windmill – MJ Engineering

A focus on becoming successful in their work and personal life

Micah has shown throughout his apprenticeship the desire and motivation to continually improve his skills by keeping up to date with new techniques and sharing them with other staff.  He continually shows initiative to improve the processes at Bradken and by enrolling in an IT / Engineering degree post his completion at TAFE demonstrates his desire to continue learning.

Bradken recognised these qualities in Micah and have moved him into other areas of the business so they can benefit from his innovative thinking and work practice, in addition to providing Micah with a variety of experiences.  Both Ai Group ATC and his host see him for the very valuable asset he is, both professionally and personally.

Host & GTO references

“Micah is bright and enthusiastic, has a great willingness to listen and learn and is a welcome addition any time to any team”.
John Lappin
Leading Hand –Bradken Wodonga Pattern Shop

“Micah has a resilient optimism with which he approaches every task.  Something he is currently involved in is the newly embraced Methods Role, which is utilised extensively in trouble shooting issues in production in an attempt to increase the throughput of the plant.  Apt at critically evaluating problems, he brings his pattern-making and practical experience into every situation providing unique insights to overcome long term and everyday problems thus aiding the foundry in this very internationally competitive environment.”
Joshua Cahill
Materials Engineer – Bradken Wodonga Technical Department