Joshua Pretten
Culcheth,UK
Summary
HNC-qualified Mechanical Fitter with experience delivering mechanical installation, shutdown, maintenance, commissioning and project work across the mining, rail infrastructure, energy, FMCG and heavy industrial sectors in both the UK and Australia.
Experienced in the installation of conveyor systems, materials handling equipment and industrial machinery, as well as fault finding, breakdown repairs, preventative maintenance and mechanical overhauls within high-risk industrial environments.
Competent in working under Permit to Work systems, Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) procedures and strict health and safety standards. Skilled in interpreting engineering drawings, precision mechanical assembly, equipment alignment and delivering work safely, efficiently and to programme.
Proven ability to work independently or as part of multidisciplinary teams, with experience leading small crews during shutdowns and maintenance activities.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Mechanical Fitter / Leading Hand
Smart Industrial
Sydney, Australia
2025.04 - 2026.05
- Contracted across major mining, rail infrastructure, energy, FMCG manufacturing and heavy industrial sites, delivering shutdown, maintenance and installation projects in high-risk environments.
- Installed, aligned and commissioned conveyor systems within mine sites, FMCG food manufacturing facilities and heavy production plants.
- Installed conveyor components including idlers, rollers, pulleys, take-up units and drive stations as part of new installations, upgrades and shutdown works.
- Carried out mechanical installation, maintenance, repair and overhaul of industrial equipment, conveyors, pumps, gearboxes, motors, bearings and associated plant machinery.
- Performed preventative and corrective maintenance during planned shutdowns to minimise downtime and maximise equipment reliability.
- Worked on critical assets for Tier 1 clients, supporting planned outages, shutdowns and preventative maintenance programmes.
- Read and interpreted engineering drawings, mechanical schematics and installation specifications to complete work accurately.
- Worked in accordance with strict permit to work, lock out tag out, confined space and working at height procedures, ensuring full compliance with site safety requirements.
- Carried out mechanical fault finding, equipment alignment and problem solving to maintain plant reliability and production.
- Assisted with shutdown planning and execution to ensure projects were completed safely, on schedule and within scope.
- Led small maintenance teams, coordinating work scopes and ensuring work was completed safely, efficiently and to the required quality standards.
- Worked alongside mechanical, electrical, fabrication, rigging and operations teams to deliver shutdowns and installation projects within demanding project schedules.
- Maintained accurate maintenance records and consistently adhered to company quality, safety and environmental standards.
Mechanical Fitter
Cygnet Texkimp
Northwich, Cheshire
2023.10 - 2025.03
- Built, installed and commissioned specialist machinery for the carbon fibre, advanced composites and manufacturing industries, including winding, coating, converting and material handling equipment.
- Mechanically assembled and installed bespoke machinery from engineering drawings to tight tolerances.
- Installed and aligned motors, gearboxes, bearings, shafts, rollers and pneumatic systems.
- Carried out planned maintenance, breakdown repairs and machinery upgrades to maximise reliability and minimise downtime.
- Read and interpreted engineering drawings, pneumatic schematics, CAD designs and assembly drawings.
- Supported machine commissioning, testing and fault rectification prior to customer handover.
- Worked closely with design and manufacturing teams to improve machinery performance and production processes.
- Worked to ISO 9001 quality standards while maintaining high levels of health and safety compliance.
- Trained in ISO 9001, crane operations, pneumatic systems and safe working practices.
Mechanical Fitter
Brit-Tipp Ltd
Warrington
2021.06 - 2023.10
- Manufactured and assembled hydraulic tipping systems and heavy-duty trailer components to engineering drawings and technical specifications.
- Installed hydraulic, pneumatic and mechanical systems, ensuring accurate assembly and alignment to specification.
- Responded to maintenance call-outs, diagnosing mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic faults to minimise production downtime.
- Carried out fault finding, repairs and replacement of defective components to restore equipment to full operational condition.
- Performed functional testing, inspections and quality checks to ensure completed builds met safety and performance standards.
- Worked closely with fabrication, welding and engineering teams to deliver production targets while maintaining high standards of workmanship.
- Maintained strict compliance with company health, safety and quality procedures throughout all manufacturing and maintenance activities.
Education
Higher National Certificate (HNC) - Mechanical Engineering
Wigan & Leigh College
2021.09 - 2023.06
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma - Mechanical Engineering
Wigan & Leigh College
2019.09 - 2021.06
GCSEs - Mathematics, English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Design Technology and Religious Education
Hope Academy
Skills
- Mechanical fitting & installation
- Conveyor systems installation
- Mechanical maintenance & repair
- Shutdowns, outages & turnaround projects
- Planned & reactive maintenance
- Breakdown diagnosis & fault finding
- Commissioning & equipment testing
- Conveyor alignment & component installation
- Gearboxes, motors, bearings & shaft alignment
- Hydraulic & pneumatic systems
- Reading engineering & assembly drawings
- Permit to Work (PTW), LOTO & isolations
- Working at Height & Confined Space
- Heavy industrial & FMCG environments
- Precision mechanical assembly
- Materials handling equipment
- Team leadership & work coordination
- Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) compliance
Certification
- HNC in Mechanical Engineering (Level 4)
- BETC Extended Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (Level 3)
Licences
- CCNSG Safety passport
- Confined Space Entry
- Gas Test Atmospheres
- Working at Heights
- Driving Licence
References
Company: Smart industrial PTY LTD (Australia)
Name: Abbie Winstanley
Position: Office Manager
Email: Abbie@smartindustrial.com.au
Company: Cygnet Texkimp
Name: Matthew Crabtree
Position: Production Manager
Email: Matthew.crabtree@cygnet-texkimp.com
Timeline
Mechanical Fitter / Leading Hand
Smart Industrial
2025.04 - 2026.05
Mechanical Fitter
Cygnet Texkimp
2023.10 - 2025.03
Higher National Certificate (HNC) - Mechanical Engineering
Wigan & Leigh College
2021.09 - 2023.06
Mechanical Fitter
Brit-Tipp Ltd
2021.06 - 2023.10
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma - Mechanical Engineering
Wigan & Leigh College
2019.09 - 2021.06
GCSEs - Mathematics, English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Design Technology and Religious Education
Hope Academy