After four years of dedicated study and training, Calvin is now concluding his fourth-year apprenticeship and is employed at the central maintenance complex, Shop 1, at the Irving Oil Refinery. He appreciates the diverse challenges presented by the maintenance work required for the refinery’s various assets.
Collaborating with the Millwright team and assuming a leadership role in his field, Calvin is committed to making significant contributions and continuing his development as a tradesperson. The role of CAM is to provide leadership and workforce management across four distinct areas within the refinery’s maintenance structure: Day-to-Day Maintenance, Strategic Projects, Maintenance Projects, and Turnaround. The workforce managed by CAM includes, but is not limited to, skilled craftsmen, warehouse and tooling support, supervisors, forepersons, superintendents, management, HSE personnel, as well as administrative and payroll support.
CAM is responsible for supplying the necessary labor and supervision required for the services outlined in the work packages, including inspection and repair tasks. Calvin actively contributes to the site’s safety program by engaging with both client and CAM safety initiatives. He provides solutions to enhance job safety and collaborates effectively with his team members. Working on shift, Calvin is frequently faced with time-sensitive maintenance tasks, where the interdependence of systems at the Irving Oil Refinery necessitates timely and high-quality execution. Calvin consistently demonstrates a high level of competency in this area, which benefits both CAM Industrial Solutions and Irving Oil.
As an Industrial Mechanic, Calvin frequently encounters challenges related to diagnosing and repairing issues with rotating equipment, such as pumps, turbines, motors, and compressors.
One notable example involved a pillow block bearing that was overfilling with oil and leaking from the seals. Calvin identified that the oiler was positioned on the incorrect side relative to the rotation, causing the oil to siphon into the housing upon startup. He repositioned the oiler to the correct side, thereby resolving the issue effectively.
Calvin’s extensive skill set, experience, and training enable him to offer a wide range of solutions to clients, making him a versatile and valuable member of the shift millwright team. His welding certification allows him to undertake special projects that require precise millwright welding. Furthermore, Calvin is expanding his expertise into the machinist specialty, further enhancing
his capabilities as a journeyman millwright. His dedication to continuous improvement underscores his potential for future
advancement.
Calvin exhibits the ability to work independently with minimal supervision. He is entrusted with challenging shift work at the refinery, often having to navigate limited resources when troubleshooting complex repairs. Through close collaboration with fellow journeymen
millwrights, Calvin gains valuable insights and appreciates the diverse contributions of his union colleagues, recognizing that there is always something to learn from others.
