Joel Hopkins

Presently working as a Trade Assistant within food manufacturing facilities. Responsibilities include maintenance, rectification, and servicing of food processing and labelling machinery along with upkeep of plant facilities. This role involves varying daily tasks and wide-ranging use of handheld and power tools to complete them. Working on mechanical and electrical machinery components such as conveyors, vacuum filling & sealing systems, metal detectors, and weighing devices, communicating effectively with the client to achieve timely outcomes.

Carried out a comprehensive overhaul of Class 158 vehicles, diagnosing and rectifying any present faults. Tasks included modifying saloon and vestibule lighting, door pushbuttons, and replacing components such as brake controllers, direction switches, auto-coupler cable assembly, passenger emergency switches, and windscreen washer hoses. Tasks also included stripping out and replacing corroded cab floorboards, struts, and insulation and examining wiring and MCB’s. Stringent testing was undertaken of coupled vehicles upon overhaul completion, including brake, pneumatic, door, and traction systems. Responsibilities also included heading a testing team and tutelage of junior team members.

Responsible for carrying out safety checks on a variety of Rolling Stock vehicles. Inspecting external and internal structures, equipment, engines & alternators, reporting defects, and carrying out repairs promptly - ensuring a smooth and efficient movement of vehicles to and from the fuel point. Duties also include performing technical preparations, including brake system tests, static power tests, lighting system checks, door operation checks, safety systems and emergency equipment examinations. Completion of comprehensive reporting for each vehicle assessed.

Employed within a Ground Engineering Flight providing electrical support for aircraft. Predominantly carrying out electrical servicing and rectifications on ground support equipment, ranging from generators (2-60 kW), hydraulic rigs, mobile elevation platforms, and pneumatic systems. Also performing electrical maintenance on vehicles such as Land Rovers, aircraft refuelers & emergency response vehicles, as well as setting up and testing temporary power and lighting installations for field accommodation and outdoor events. Within this period, overseas detachments were completed which involved high-pressure, challenging environments, with my work playing a crucial supporting role in enabling thesuccess of the operations. Responsibilities included tutelage and supervisory duties of more junior ranks helping them work safely towards their required qualifications.