- Nominee: Cameron Bone
- Employer: Black Steel Mobile Ltd
- Training Organisation: Competenz
- Start date: 8 October 2019
- Course: National Certificate in Heavy Fabrication, Level 4 – Structural Steel Strand
- Training Coordinator: Jonathan Newsome – Competenz, Alan Smith – Competenz and Matthew Adams – Black Steel Mobile Ltd
Introduction
Signing Cam on to our apprenticeship program in 2019 was a “no-brainer”. Having already completed a car-painting apprenticeship, he had a proven track record and joined us with a solid foundation of transferable skills and a strong drive to master new ones.
With previous work experience and a trade already under his belt, Cam fitted seamlessly into his apprenticeship at Black Steel.
Attitude and Initiative
His proactive approach to learning is evident in the variety of interests he has outside of work. These include electronics, laser printing, flying drones and training to get his pilot’s license. He is also an extremely talented craftsman and has recently made his own pinball machine.
In the workplace, Cam seeks out new challenges and approaches them with an impressive level of confidence and maturity. He puts 100% effort into everything he takes on and executes to a very high standard.
Naturally inquisitive, Cam is keen to ask questions and look for ways to expand his knowledge.
Teamwork
Cam is an excellent communicator but also respects others’ opinions and is always open to feedback. He excels in a team environment and has built strong working relationships throughout the company. One of his key contributions has been his active participation in our monthly team training sessions. He readily shares valuable insights and helps to create a culture of learning and self-improvement within the team.
His enthusiasm, energy and eagerness to learn inspires others around him and make him a well-liked member of the BSM team.
Skills
Despite his young age, the range of skills and knowledge Cam has acquired both at work and in his personal pursuits is quite remarkable.
He is quick to pick up new techniques and although most apprentices spend the first two years in the workshop, Cam’s rapid progress allowed him to take on solo projects much earlier than we would expect.
Cam thrives under pressure and handles the unique challenges of working on site in a calm and professional manner. His capable demeanor instils confidence in the people he works with and is backed up by his technical skills and problem-solving abilities. He has a natural ability to think outside the box.
These qualities make him a popular choice with clients for onsite projects.
“Just a quick note to let you know how much above and beyond Cameron went over the last few years doing projects for us.
It was only when Jaques told me he was an Apprentice I actually knew. Courteous to clients, punctual and very conscientious of the quality of his work.
Please pass this onto him, he is a credit to your company.”
Geoff Higgins
Heartwood Building Co Ltd
Health and Safety
When it comes to health and safety, Cam leads by example. He follows our guidelines rigorously and helps create a safe and secure workplace for colleagues, both onsite and in the workshop.
His commitment to safety has set a standard for other apprentices to follow and demonstrates his leadership potential.
Self-motivation
What really sets Cam apart is his drive for self-improvement and determination to do things to a high standard. He is always keen to challenge himself and take on projects that push his skill level.
He possesses a rare combination of humility and ambition, and even though he’s driven, he is also respectful and will go out of his way to help and support others.
Summary
In summary, Cam’s contributions go beyond his technical skills; his focus, adaptability and leadership qualities have all had a positive influence on our team. With his insatiable appetite for learning and personal growth, Cam is exactly the type of young apprentice and tradesperson we need in our industry.
We have been impressed by his transition from apprentice to skilled professional and highly recommend him for Apprentice of the Year.
Project Work: Cameron Bone
3rd Year Apprentice: April 2022
28514Q – Ponsonby
As with all our apprentices, Cam has been taught how to produce his own fabrication drawings using engineering details and architectural plans. This is a specialty of Black Steel and a core component of our training program. It means that our fabricators can create their drawings onsite, often in-conjunction with the builder, reducing the room for error and allowing our fabricators to adjust and make changes as needed to produce better results.
Project Work: Cameron Bone
4th Year Apprentice: June 2023
24938Q – Mt Eden
This job highlights Cam’s technical skills and confidence to handle challenging projects.
Cam chose to cut & form this ‘cranked roof beam’. Standard procedure would be to cut and weld because it’s technically easier and carries less risk of failure. This is an example of Cams lateral thinking as he had limited space to work in. As with all tasks, there is ‘more than one way to skin a cat’. To get the three pieces to correctly align Cam simply didn’t cut the beam making the ‘crank’ self-supporting. This allowed Cam to eliminate the possibility of misaligned parts and has the added benefit of reduced welding. However, if there is a mistake in the bend & cut calculations then, Cam would have had to cut the beam into sections and lose any advantage he gained from forming, “he had one shot”.
This highly technical job would have been difficult for many qualified fabricators under the same conditions, Cam nailed it with aplomb.
Cam regularly tests the boundaries of his skills laterally and in that process learns to apply skills when they’re not immediately apparent.
