Automotive heavy engineering in the alpine environment
Gregg Histen completed his MITO automotive apprenticeship while working in the unique alpine environment of Mount Ruapehu. His main workshop during the winter season is only accessible by snowmobile, chairlift or snow groomer.
Gregg graduated with his National Certificate in Motor Industry (Automotive Heavy Engineering) with a strand in Plant and Equipment in April last year.
He says he decided to do an apprenticeship because he was always interested in automotive - working with heavy machinery – and there was a shortage of qualified technicians specialising in heavy equipment. He had already worked with his employer, Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Ltd, for one year before beginning his apprenticeship in 2004 at the age of forty.
Gregg’s supervisor at the time thought it was worthwhile investing in Gregg’s formal training. As a result, today Gregg is one of the few technicians in New Zealand with the expertise to service and maintain the heavy vehicles unique to the alpine environment. His specialist knowledge has taken him as far as Antarctica, to work on vehicles there.
Gregg came to his alpine job with a lot of previous work experience in servicing heavy machinery, including responsibility for plant equipment at a research farm in Canterbury.
During his weekends there he was involved with the Mount Cheeseman ski club, working on tows, generators and other alpine equipment. When he was offered a full-time job servicing snow groomers with the maintenance team at Whakapapa skifield on Mount Ruapehu, he moved north.
Gregg was able to have the skills that he gained while working on heavy machinery recognised through MITO’s Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) process. He received credits towards his national qualification as a result, and a head start with his apprenticeship.
During the winter Gregg is responsible for eight snow groomers – all Kassbohrer Pisten Bullys, purpose-built vehicles made in Germany for pushing and ploughing snow. Many parts and electronics are specialised and only found on heavy mountain vehicles.
Steve Manunui is Gregg’s supervisor and Operations Manager of the Whakapapa skifield. The grooming maintenance team is part of a larger maintenance crew on Mount Ruapehu – 18 staff, all qualified carpenters, electricians and engineers. Steve has worked with the business for 20 years and manages the entire maintenance crew.
According to Steve, maintenance crew technicians need the obvious mechanical and technical skills, but most important of all - you must be a team player. The alpine work environment also requires a certain type of character – adventurous, adaptable and hardy.
“It’s not unusual to have to go out in a blizzard,” he says, “and when we get hit by one or have an emergency situation, everyone has to be able to instantly pull together as a team and get out there.”
But as well as the challenges, the job has its advantages – you get to do plenty of skiing and to enjoy the mountain environment while working.
Outside of the snow season, Gregg and the team truck all the equipment down off the mountain to National Park where they have a summer servicing programme. It mainly consists of maintenance work on the equipment from major repairs to general servicing – all getting ready for the next ski season!
Gregg is very happy with where his choices have taken him.
