"I love my job because I don't sit behind a computer in an office the whole day. I love working with my hands and having a more physical job where I can move around and fix things. Working as a Fitter means that no two days are the same. One day I may be redoing a gearbox or a pump in the workshop, and the next day I may be outside somewhere working on a compressor."

"I have a systematic approach when I am constructing or replacing structural components since mistakes can be costly and dangerous. I first carefully go over the technical drawings of a system to ascertain the specs of structural components. Once I have constructed the components according to the specs, I measure and investigate each component to double-check that they are perfect before fitting them into a system."

"Part of my job is to ensure that I carry out my duties in a responsible and safe manner. I always adhere to all health and safety policies and procedures and wear the appropriate protective gear, such as face shields, steel toe cap boots and earmuffs."

"In my job, teamwork is of the utmost importance. When you're working with large or intricate components and machinery, you want to work with somebody who has the ability to cooperate and do their share. It's also important that team members plan and coordinate their daily activities to ensure that they collaborate where necessary. In addition, apprentices learn most of their skills through on-the-job guidance and tutoring from more experienced Fitters."

"An example I can think of is where a team member, called Pete, was rarely available for after-hours callouts or overtime work, which meant more work for the rest of us. He became defensive and aggressive when one of the team members confronted him about this. So, I asked our supervisor to arrange a meeting where the team could discuss the issue. Pete didn't have much to say, but cooperated from then on."

"I have often used compressed non-asbestos gaskets since they are the most standard type of high-temperature gaskets. They can handle temperatures of up to about 450 degrees Celsius and work well in general applications that don't require much complexity. You could also opt for ceramic fibre gaskets, which are made from lightweight, resilient, and asbestos-free material. These gaskets have excellent thermal characteristics and can withstand temperatures of up to 1,260 degrees."

"Although I really enjoy working as a Fitter and still have so much to learn, my dream is to become a Mechanical Engineer. I currently have a Level 2 certificate in mechanical engineering and plan to enrol for a higher national diploma in mechanical engineering on a part-time basis when the new academic year starts. While I am studying towards my degree, I will be acquiring as many skills as I can working as a Fitter."

"I am trained as a Mechanical Fitter, and the work I have done has mostly been mechanical fitting. However, I did work for an aircraft manufacturer for five years, where I worked on hydraulic systems."

"Positive isolation is where you completely isolate equipment, pipes or a section of the plant from energy sources or harmful substances, such as vapours or liquids. We use this process while performing maintenance or repair activities in live environments."

"Although I love my job, I guess there are certain aspects that I find more challenging than others. For instance, it takes some time to get used to the long hours in the manufacturing industry. You need to ensure that you maintain a balance in your life by taking time outside of work to just relax with friends and family."