Aerofloat is known for creating sustainable wastewater treatment solutions for a multitude of industries, and is proud to support Australian university internships.
There has been a significant focus-shift across the mining and recycling industries with companies looking for opportunities to invest in and support other Australian-made and owned businesses. Australian universities are also seeking forward-thinking companies offering engineers stimulating internships and employment following graduation.
Read the full article in National Resources Review
Aerofloat is known for creating opportunities for undergraduates but for nurturing and developing engineers that then excel in Australia’s workforce. The company creates innovative and sustainable wastewater treatment solutions and sewage treatment systems and has won awards for its patented technology.
Aerofloat’s innovative designs have achieved outstanding effluent results across the recycling, mining, packaging and food and beverage industries, often where other wastewater treatment companies were unable to find a solution. Lightweight designs incorporate Aerofloat’s patented technology, and also create opportunities for water recycling and reuse (such as irrigation).
Aerofloat is creating opportunities for Australian students – creating a sustainable future
With innovation the driver of Aerofloat’s work in the sector, Aerofloat has attracted high achieving university interns and graduates.
Santhosh Ramesh began an internship with Aerofloat in 2016 and has been employed as a full time engineer with the company since completing his studies in 2017. Ramesh’s interest in industrial wastewater recycling and advanced water treatment saw him undertake a Master of Engineering Science (Water, Wastewater and Waste Engineering). Ramesh is grateful for the opportunity Aerofloat gave him in his final year of studies and has continued to work with Aerofloat to create sustainable wastewater treatment solutions.
“Working with Aerofloat gave me a unique opportunity to learn with true innovators in the sector. Not only was I privy to the logic and inspiration behind Aerofloat’s innovative technology, I was able to witness first-hand, the difference that level of technology can have on industry,” said Ramesh.
Ramesh worked at three designated sites with the Aerofloat team during his internship, giving him the chance to diversify his understanding of wastewater engineering. Working alongside the company’s head engineers, he could to pursue his interest in chemical engineering and specifically, learning and specialising in biological wastewater technologies.
“Aerofloat’s internship gave me an engaging and real-time platform to study the effect of wastewater treatment chemistry. I was able to work with coagulants to help develop chemical blends that have an enormous impact on the resulting effluent quality – and in fact streamline chemical consumption,” said Ramesh. “I learnt to understand how variations in influent parameters can affect the wastewater treatment process and gained an in-depth knowledge of the role of pH in improving effluent results,” he added.
David Snowden also joined Aerofloat’s engineering team two years ago, following his internship completion with a reputable international engineering mining consultancy firm.
“Aerofloat gave me the opportunity to learn real-time problem solving skills,” said Snowden. “I’ve worked on Aerofloat projects within Australia but also in Indonesia, where I helped install a large wastewater treatment plant. The opportunities and support Aerofloat’s head engineers have given me over the past two years have been tremendous,” said Snowden. Aerofloat’s Operations Manager, Michael Anderson, nurtured Snowden’s talent for using advanced Computer Aided Engineering tools that are integral to the engineering design process. “Michael is well-known in the industry as an expert in 3D CAD modelling, so I’ve been very lucky to learn both 2D and 3D modelling from him,” said Snowden.
When asked if he has any advice for wannabe interns, Snowden said to be prepared for a steep learning curve, followed by a steep responsibility curve.
“Whilst Aerofloat’s head engineers have always been on hand to support me, the trust and commitment they gave me in those early months of my employment made a huge difference to my confidence. I learnt so much by being hands-on and by being able to voice my ideas in the design-making process. It’s an opportunity that I am very grateful for,” said Snowden. “It’s been terrific helping to build sustainable wastewater treatment solutions at such a critical time in Australia’s history.”
Luke Parker undertook an Aerofloat internship in 2019 that gave him the opportunity to design and manufacture parts, such as wastewater pipes. Parker’s interest in mechanical engineering was fostered by Aerofloat, who gave him hands-on experiences under its guidance.
“I was lucky to get the opportunity to work in Queensland with the Aerofloat team and really get my hands dirty, working with adjusting pipe sizes to create a solution. It was my first real insight into the front-end work of a project and was incredibly rewarding,” said Parker.
Having an intern on site helps employers to increase available resources and build future team loyalty and longevity. Internships open opportunities to students for hands-on learning and support their university studies.
“My internship experience positively impacted on my studies and certainly in writing my university thesis. I used my new-found skills in Inventor 3D Modelling to design a product that was easy to manufacture and test, and ultimately meet my outcome goals,” said Parker. Parker says the experience Aerofloat has given him extends beyond knowledge-building. “I’ve learnt from everyone in the Aerofloat team – from the importance of design simplicity to work safety precautions. Working with driven, positive team members has been terrific too.”
Aerofloat is investing in upskilling Australia’s workforce
Investing in additional learning and skills helps build knowledge and promotes a safe workplace. Aerofloat equips its interns to ensure they can work safely and confidently. “It’s been a non-stop learning experience for us all,” said Snowden. “In addition to the in-house training and trade tools we’ve acquired, Aerofloat ensured we undertook a number of safety courses such as forklift handling, working at heights and working in confined spaces, and design safety courses,” added Parker.
Aerofloat creates sustainable wastewater treatment solutions and adaptable sewage treatment plant solutions for mine sites and other remote locations. It has significant projects completed in the industrial wastewater treatment space, providing sustainable wastewater treatment solutions for the packaging and recycling industry and food and beverage market. Aerofloat’s designs are cost-effective, simple, durable, easy to transport and can include remote monitoring technology.
Aerofloat’s technology and patented solutions have been developed over many decades and reflect the its innovative approach to wastewater and sewage treatment solutions to the challenges facing the mining, recycling and packaging industries.
Contact Aerofloat to discuss sustainable wastewater treatment solutions.
