About the Opportunity

Malcolm Thompson Pumps (MTP) has been in the Australian pump industry for over 50 years and is part of Questas Group. Through our Stalker Pumps division, we run an onsite foundry in Perth. The pumps cast there go to mining customers across Australia.

We are taking on an apprentice to learn the casting and moulding trade from our foundry team. By the end, you will be a qualified tradesperson with a skill that is in short supply.

What is a foundry apprenticeship?

A foundry turns molten metal into finished parts. You will learn how a pump component goes from a drawing to a solid casting, one step at a time. The main stages are:

• Reading the job. You start with technical drawings and work out what needs to be made.
• Patterns and moulds. A pattern is the shape of the part. You use it to build a mould, usually from sand, that holds the shape while the metal sets.
• Melting. Metal is melted in a furnace to the right temperature and chemistry for the job.
• Pouring. Molten metal is poured into the mould under tight safety controls.
• Cooling and shakeout. Once the metal has set, the casting is removed from the mould.
• Fettling and finishing. Excess metal is cut and ground away, and the casting is cleaned up.
• Inspection. The casting is checked against the drawing and quality requirements before it moves on to machining and assembly.

What your day looks like

You will work on the foundry floor with your tradespeople, not on the sidelines. Expect to:

• Prepare moulds and help set up for pours
• Work with sand, patterns, tools and moulding equipment
• Assist with melting and pouring under supervision
• Fettle and finish castings
• Check your own work against the drawing
• Keep your area clean and follow all PPE and safe work procedures

You do not need foundry experience. We will teach you the trade. You do need:

• A willingness to learn and take on feedback
• Comfort with physical, hands-on work
• Reliability, including showing up on time, every shift
• A careful approach to safety
• Good hand and eye coordination and attention to detail
• Interest in how things are made, a background in school woodwork, metalwork, VET engineering or technical drawing, or time spent in a workshop are all useful. None are required.

What you’ll get

• A nationally recognised trade qualification: Certificate III in Engineering – Casting and Moulding Trade
• Paid work and training from day one
• Training from experienced tradespeople at an onsite foundry
• A career path with a growing group of businesses behind you: Questas Group operates across Australia
• Support from Elevate Academy

APPLY NOW!