Building Skills for the Future!

17/02/2022

Adam Weldon has always had an interest in how things work. With a garage full of vintage Falcons and Kingswoods in various stages of repair, his passion for all things mechanical is clear.

It was a natural move then to apply for an apprenticeship with Downer when the opportunity came up. 

Having completed his four-year fitter and turner apprenticeship at Downer’s Maryborough Rail Facility in 2021, Adam continues spending his days working on the trains that help thousands of Queensland commuters get around each day.

“I’ve always had an interest in all things mechanical, and knew that’s what I wanted to do,” said Adam. “Around this region, Downer is one of the biggest employers, and I always wanted to work on trains.”

In a typical day, work might include turning parts on a lathe, rebuilding gearboxes or performing tests to ensure the trains are fit-for-purpose when they return to service.

There’s always something new to learn, and opportunities for apprentices just keep growing. In 2022, Downer welcomed 20 new apprentices bringing the total to 55 at our Maryborough facility, working in diverse trades from spray painting to electricians. 

It’s the opportunity to fix problems and share knowledge that keeps Adam coming back to work each day, he says.

“When there’s certain faults or breakdowns, I like to try and work out why and fix that problem. It’s clear when you fix something that you’ve made a difference to the job.”

At thirty years old, Adam was considered a mature-age apprentice, and he also has some life experience to pass on to the next generation of apprentices coming through Maryborough.

“I like trying to share my knowledge and my journey with others that have started here. My best piece of advice to anyone looking to start an apprenticeship is just be honest – and don’t be scared to apply,” he said.

Downer is a major employer in Queensland across a range of industries, from roads and infrastructure to rail. In Maryborough, 407 people work in roles delivering rollingstock maintenance, overhaul and manufacturing services for the people of Queensland.

Downer is currently recruiting for a wide range of roles at our Maryborough facility. Check out our current vacancies here or express your interest in other vacancies, go here.