Trades Assistant

**About the Company**

Ahrens is a fifth-generation, South Australian family-owned company, with 120 years’ experience in delivering a diverse range of high-quality and cost effective products and projects across Australia, with footprints overseas.

We have become a full Construction, Engineering, Mining Services, Sheds & Silos and Water Storage company which provides complete turnkey project solutions, supported by 26 divisions and backed by 1000-plus people.

Wheatbelt Steel is a division of the Ahrens family of brands and has been operating for the past 40 years; specialising in the design, fabrication and installation of quality steel sheds. Wheatbelt Steel builds sheds of the highest quality, including machinery sheds, fertiliser sheds, grain sheds, hay sheds, shearing sheds and poultry sheds for farms across Western Australia, with further growth taking sheds to the rest of Australia.

**About the Role**

Our Wheatbelt Steel team located in Northam is seeking a Trades Assistant to join us. As a member of the production team, the Trades Assistant will undertake tasks such as drilling, cutting, and fixing materials and/or components in preparation for the production process. Additionally, they will work alongside tradespersons in assembling and fabricating steel products, ensuring adherence to safety, quality, and time specifications.

**Key Responsibilities**
- Read drawings, work orders and production schedules to determine product or job instructions and specifications.
- Mark-out, cut/drill/punch holes as required for plate material in accordance with fabrication drawings
- Layout, position, align and assemble components together in accordance with fabrication drawings and tolerances.
- Mechanical cutting of steel and compiling of cutting lists from fabrication drawings.
- Measure and cut raw materials with straightedges and high accuracy to supply product to tradespersons.
- Competently and safely set up and operate hand and power tools to assist in the assembly/fabrication of steel.
- Label and sort manufactured plate material into product groups
- Move steel in workshop with overhead crane and forklift (where licensed and authorized)
- Transfer fabricated components between production departments in accordance with production schedules.
- Perform general maintenance and housekeeping of work areas and site work areas, equipment, tools and facilities.

**Skills and Experience**
- Good attitude towards work and ability to listen and execute instructions.
- Be prepared to work reasonable amounts of overtime as operationally required.
- Flexible approach and cooperative team attitude.
- Genuine passion for fabrication trade
- Motivated and willing to undertake any additional training
- Willingness to assist in other areas
- Willingness to take undertake on-the-job training

**Skills and Experience (Desirable)**
- Proven experience using reliable, safe work practices.
- Crane operating skills and experience
- Forklift license
- Familiarity with related building/manufacturing industry equipment and terminology
- Be prepared to travel and work at other Ahrens work/project sites to complete work as required.
- Previous experience in the manufacturing/fabrication industry would be an advantage
- Ability to operate material cutting equipment such as bandsaw and hacksaw
- On Site Construction Card

**Why Work at Ahrens & Wheatbelt Steel**

We are continually evolving and investing in our people and facilities to achieve satisfying outcomes.

We strive for a positive and supportive team culture which embraces diversity and innovation, and aligns with our core values including commitment, integrity and safety. In return we reward those who passionately work towards realising our vision.

**Benefits**
- Employee Assistance Program, supporting you and your family’s health & wellbeing
- Discounts to some of Australia’s leading corporate partners in private health insurance, gyms, travel, clothing, vehicles and more
- Generous paid parental leave entitlements to support you and your family
- Annual Employee Donation Scheme to support a charity/cause of your choice
- Family, social and team building events
- Opportunities for career progression

**How to Apply