Tyler Murray: From Lecture Theaters to Agricultural Mechanics

We caught up with Tyler Murray at McIntosh & Son Moora to hear all about his first year completing his Certificate III in Agricultural Mechanical Technology through the McIntosh Training Academy.

With his unique journey to agricultural mechanics, Tyler offers a fresh perspective on what it’s like being an apprentice with Academy and McIntosh & Son.

So, you started your apprenticeship in December 2023. Can you tell us about your background before joining the Academy?

I was studying at Curtin University for two semesters, but it just wasn’t for me. I swapped to Ag Science at Murdoch University because I thought it would be a bit more hands-on and more agricultural. That wasn’t for me either.

Perth felt too crowded, and I’d rather be out in the country, I was ready for a change and wanted something that involved working directly with my hands, so I decided to pursue an apprenticeship.

How does an apprenticeship and McIntosh Training Academy differ from studying at university?

There’s quite a bit of technical, study work, but it’s a lot more practical and it’s broken up. You work for 3 months and then you study, so you’re learning what you’re working on.

Why did you choose McIntosh Training Academy over TAFE?

From what I heard, including from my brother who did his Heavy Diesel Mechanic apprenticeship at TAFE, is that the experience wasn’t very structured and less personalised.

At McIntosh Training Academy, it feels more engaging. The lecturers genuinely care about us and are willing to go the extra mile to help us understand the material and industry.

How are you finding the lecturers? When you say TAFE is very structured and less personalised, how would you compare that to what’s in your class?

Here, the lecturers are passionate and bring real-world experience into the classroom. They encourage us to ask questions beyond the curriculum, which makes a huge difference in our learning. They’ve just got a lot more passion.

What do you think makes a good apprentice?

Someone willing to take on a challenge, step out of their comfort zone and want to learn. But everyone is different. Some people struggle to learn on the theory side and find it easier to learn/retain information practically.

Speaking of practical work, what does a regular day look like? What are the things you like and don’t like?

Every day is a good day. I do find pre-service and repairs on headers a bit monotonous because it’s a lot of changing bearings and belts without much challenge. There is no drive to find a solution under pressure. Although I haven’t done a harvest yet, I know it’s always in a tight time frame and the pressure will be on, so that’ll be more challenging.

The real satisfaction comes from jobs that test my skills, like the time I worked on an injector system out in the field. It was tough, but the satisfaction of completing the job was phenomenal. When you finish a job and get that satisfaction, that’s when you go home thinking, I do love my job.

Looking ahead, what are you most excited about for your second year?

It’s a lot more diagnostic. It’s not 100% diagnostic because that’s 3rd and 4th year but you’re opening your horizons. The focus is ‘Is this broken and how do we fix it’, so it tests your knowledge and will make you think a little more in-depth. It’ll be nice to diagnose why a bearing has failed on a machine rather than just change the bearing, for example.

As someone still early in your apprenticeship, how does the trust-building process work with your supervisors?

It varies by job, meaning some jobs require a larger amount of trust than others. I appreciate having a supervisor who when I need help or reassurance with the task at hand, they are willing to guide me in the right direction but still has enough trust in me to work semi-independent – to check in on me without hovering over my shoulder. Brad is good, he’ll give guidance and reassurance when I am second-guessing myself or struggling to find the solution. Then he also allows me to tackle tasks independently, which helps because I’m going to learn a lot better by doing the tasks at hand and learning from my mistakes rather than just by watching.

Do you think it’s important to have some background in agriculture to succeed in this field?

It helps but I wouldn’t say it’s essential. You need to understand the urgency of getting equipment up and running for farmers during busy seasons. They often rely on their machinery for their livelihood, so having that insight can enhance communication and effectiveness.

Interested in a career in Ag?

McIntosh Training Academy is committed to providing a high-quality, immersive learning experience for apprentices like Tyler. With a focus on practical, real-world skills and personalised training, the Academy is shaping the next generation of agricultural mechanics.

For more information about McIntosh Training Academy and its apprenticeship programs, visit mcintoshacademy.com.au

We are always looking for passionate and enthusiastic people to fill a range of roles within our dealerships. If you think you can add value to our team, head to our website for current opportunities, or contact hr@mcson.com.au for further information.