Meet Keely Feaver - Taranaki 19 March 2024 Panellist
Keely’s career success story is proof that a career in trades is a viable pathway to a fulfilling future. A “learning by doing” person, she has years of Electrical Engineering experience under her tool belt. These skills served as a solid foundation for a rewarding career - today, she’s a Gas Supply Scheduler at Methanex, New Zealand.
• What trade are you in, and how long you have been working in the industry?
After attending a presentation by Defence at school, I settled on joining the Navy. With marine technicians needed at the time, I took on a marine trade apprenticeship.
Marine technicians look after all the ship's systems except weapons and computers – engines, electrical generation and distribution, fridges, air conditioning, toilets... I jumped in without knowing the names of any tools - it was a steep learning curve.
I was with the Royal NZ Navy for 6 years as a Marine Technician (Electrical). After the Navy, I joined Methanex as Field Operator in 2012, and later moved to a Panel Operator position in 2016. I am now in a Gas Supply Scheduling role.
• What does a typical day look like for you?
Operations look after the plant around the clock. We work in 12-hour shifts. Each shift, you are assigned a section of the plant that you're responsible for. At the beginning of our shift, we do an inspection of our plant area to make sure everything is OK, and we monitor over the day to make sure there are no changes.
If there is equipment that needs fixing, we de-energise the equipment and lock it out to make sure no-one is going to get hurt while it’s being worked on. After the work is complete, we bring the equipment back online.
We are also the emergency response team in the event of a fire or other emergency. We make sure the people on site are safe, we protect the environment and machinery.
“I jumped in without knowing the names of any tools - it was a steep learning curve.”
• Who inspired you to choose this career?
After attending the Defence presentation, it seemed like a good option. Free accommodation and food, free uniform, free travel, free fitness classes – best of all, no student loans.
• What challenges did you have to overcome to get to where you are?
There were a lot of days I felt completely out of my depth, and I thought I was never going to be any good in my trade. I’m a learning by doing person, so I think getting that confidence just takes showing up to work every day and getting lots of experience.
• What do you love most about your trade?
In Ops, no matter how much work is left to do - at the end of your shift you can hand it all over, which means work and home can be separate.