Harvey Agricultural College boarder Jack Booker reflects on work experience at Alcoa’s Willowdale Bauxite Mine

Alcoa’s Willowdale Bauxite Mine is helping students from the Harvey Agricultural College to get hands-on and set goals for the future through work experience at the mine. Harvey Agricultural College boarder Jack Booker was a part of the program late last year and said being involved helped him set goals for his future career path. The 15-year-old said he would like to combine his passion for mechanics and agriculture in the future after his time at the mine. “In the mechanical workshop at Willowdale I was involved with replacing a screen deck on the crusher,” he said. “I helped lube the crusher and the stacker got to see the bauxite process from when it comes out of the ground down to the refinery and got to sit in a big haul truck.” Jack said his time with Alcoa had reinforced his love of mechanics and agriculture, and his goal of becoming a heavy diesel mechanic or a mechanical fitter. “I am very interested in gaining a trade as a heavy diesel mechanic or a mechanical fitter because I love going to my relatives’ cattle stations in Wiluna,” he said. “I can see how those trades might give me options to work on stations and combine my love for mechanics and agriculture.” Jack said he now had his sights sent on an apprenticeship with the company. “I’d love to apply for an apprenticeship at Alcoa because I can see how it would be a great place to learn the skills of a trade,” he said. “All the people I got to work with on work experience were really nice and helpful and I could see how Alcoa could be a really supportive place for me to start my career.”