Meet Max Eyton - Engineering Cadet
Published 26 November 2020
Hear from one of our Auckland cadets Max Eyton, giving us insight into his journey so far to completing his New Zealand Diploma in Engineering with Northpower.
I have learned so much so far on my engineering cadetship. Currently I am studying part time towards a New Zealand Diploma in Engineering, and working part time in the field with Northpower, getting a great deal of exposure to both the theoretical and the practical side of the electrical industry. It has been very beneficial to be able to relate what I’m learning in my studies to what happens in the field.
Prior to commencing my second block course, I was given the opportunity to work within the Auckland Distribution Zone Substation team (DZS), a team that manages the capital substation projects for Vector. During my time within the team, I have been assisting the various areas, including the project management team, the construction team as well as the testing and commissioning team. From these teams I have been learning how projects are developed, implemented and how the teams work together for the duration of the project.
One of the major projects I had the chance to be involved with was the transformer relocation project at Quay Street Substation, Auckland. This project involved moving an 110kV transformer weighing around 100 tonnes, from one bay to another. While onsite, I was given the opportunity to learn from Johnny Tupuhi, Bob Johnson and Brownie Wijohn, the site supervisors, about how to fill out a tailgate, understand what the site hazards are, what controls were put in place for all hazards, and how to hold a tailgate meeting with all the work parties, all of which provided me an understanding of all the crucial pieces that ensure the team can work safely and productively.
This was a great experience for me, and can’t thank the Distribution Zone Substation team enough for giving me the opportunity to work alongside them. I definitely recommend this engineering cadetship to anyone who is given the opportunity.
