Past Employment - Trades - Businesses

** In Argentina **

- Review Officer & Safety Inspector - “Gas del Estado” (National Gas Co.)                                    (1978 – 1982).
(Now privatised as “Litoral Gas”) at the Technical Division in Rosario city - Argentina.

• Since the beginning (before any other task), I was trained on Occupational Health & Safety such as: 1st. Aid procedures (several times later on), public safety, evacuation in office and pumping plant. Correct use of fire class extinguisher procedures, pressure water, and foam. On plant, emergency procedures on high-risk ignition areas, explosion & Fire control, use of oxygen + mask, and anti-spark alloy tools in operational emergencies, shut-down procedures, gas-leaks control and emergency; including use of flame/ spark & detonation arresters. Also, I liaise through UHF radio-contact with police, ambulance, fire brigade, gas leak emergency crews, minimizing traffic blockade, shut-down procedures & sabotage control.

• I started as Technical Draftsman (by hand, not CAD back then), I was drafting projected plans for the Rosario city new network gas network conversion, from (steel) pipeline massive extensions and regulation chambers and cathodic protection from low-pressure (22grms/cm2) to medium pressure (1.5Kg/cm2), etc. I’ve acquired experience in drawing underground gas network and electrical circuitry. Whilst working temporarily in a project involving a river port construction project (in San Lorenzo city) on a dedicated area for liquid gas (propane mostly) transport. In that, I was directly involved in their drafting earth-lightning protection devices for ships, storage cylinders, and transport railway tracks, including on-site measuring of proposed network layouts, survey land calculation revision, quality control to report results & inspection on-site of works performed.

• I've have drawn safety & electric installation plans for cathodic (anti-corrosive) protection systems and rectifier chambers, transformers, and anode replacements - Inspection and record keeping of high-pressure to domestic regulator chambers and valves in conformity with national (Argentine) IRAM and international ISO standards – Etc.

• Followed and translated strict ISO international compliance standards for gas transport and safety equipment imported from overseas.

• Administrative Assistant, clerical, general documentation, and English technical translator of imported goods and specifications to determine Argentine (IRAM) and international (ISO) compliance/compatibility.

• Review Officer on inspection of contractor’s plans to match conformity with national standards.
  Based on templates, prepared draft tenders (for Senior revision) for sub-contracts based in our Gas company’s Terms & Conditions. Always under supervision of Senior staff, I have dealt with many gas-network pipeline contractors, checked their own plans at my office and on-site inspections.

• Construction projects, land calculation, preparation of tenders and contracts for under grown gas network extensions cathodic, and new regulator chambers for the Rosario city.- Reports from inspection of new works on-site performed by contractor and domestic gas fitters.

• Cathodic protection setup/maintenance for new pipe lines and high-pressure regulator chambers.

• Team Leader (on duty): Nearly at the end of my work with the Gas Co., I performed as a for emergency procedures on medium/low pressure urban gas leaks in temporary shut-down, repair procedures for natural gas supply on the city’s underground steel pipelines (PVC not yet implemented back then).

• Reports and plans prepared for stakeholders and Senior management of audits about minimum required equipment (operational and safety) for gas extensions.

** In Australia **

- Landmark Project: New Parliament House           Construction (Canberra, ACT)
 Fine Joinery & Team Leadership -          (1986 - 1988).

• Project Introduction: Arrived in Australia in September 1986, and successfully secured a role within months as a fully qualified Cabinetmaker & Joiner at the New Parliament House construction site, remaining on the project through to total completion.

• Workforce Supervision: Promoted to Team Leader shortly after commencement, supervising installation teams of wall and ceiling with lights integrated paneling within the prestigious Member’s Hall on its three floors.

• Specialist High-Tier Joinery: Selected for the elite "Specials" team, executing high-precision fit-outs, custom alterations, and fine timber touch-ups inside the Prime Minister’s suite, Senate chambers, and fitting curved solid timber staircase handrails.

• Technical Capabilities Applied: Delivered exceptional craftsmanship across a variety of complex technical workflows. 

• Fit-Outs & Custom Joinery: Managed solid timber molded skirting, custom shelving, cupboards, and detailed wardrobe installations.

• Precision Refurbishments: Executed expert veneering, high-end laminate repairs, and on-site traditional French polishing (shellac) restorations from accidental and long distance transport damages.

• Architectural Adaptations: Custom-modified and adapted factory-made furniture components on-site to match highly complex architectural wall curves.

• Hardware Integration: Installed specialized glass-door closing mechanisms in Media Rooms, zig-zag folding room partitions, and integrated premium brass handrails into custom desks.

• Public Space Execution: Crafted and detailed custom features inside the Ground, 1st, and 2nd-floor Reception Halls, the Great Hall walls, fixed base seats within the cafeteria.

( Click on the photo-gallery to enlarge )

- Regional Operations: Moved to the Gold Coast (QLD)
   Subcontractor, Educator & Government Aid -
                                                                      (1996 – 2016).

• Government Language Services: From 1997 to 2000, utilized bi-lingual capabilities to serve as an official Interpreter and Translator for Social Security (now Centrelink), while concurrently completing evening qualifications in Computer Graphics and Information Technology at TAFE.

• Contracting & Installations: Relocated to the Gold Coast, Queensland, successfully operating for two decades as an independent shopfitting contractor and installation subcontractor for prominent local manufacturing firms.

• Corporate Governance: From 2000 onward, blended trade expertise with corporate governance as the highly successful Co-Owner and Operations Manager of “Grial College of Fine Arts & Languages” in Bundall for 5 years, whilst running cabinet making subcontracting works under Building Services Authority (BSA) license.

- Manufacturing, Shopfitting & Business Operations Contractor & Team Leader - (1988 - 1996).

• Production & Supervision: Following the completion of Parliament House in 1988, worked across major manufacturing facilities producing premium commercial furniture, custom executive office layouts, computer desks, partitions, screen systems, and integrated storage solutions.

• Operations Leadership: Appointed as Team Leader and Installations Supervisor at "Ergofurn P/L", successfully managing a professional workforce of 10 tradesmen.

• Industrial Manufacturing: Gained valuable manufacturing experience producing architectural solid timber windows and doors, kitchen, vanities and wardrobes within specialized production factories in Queanbeyan and Canberra.

• Proprietary Design & Business Ownership: Established a private manufacturing workshop operating under the business name "Stand Art". Engineered and manufactured proprietary artist equipment exclusive designs, successfully registering the intellectual property through the National Patent Office and Design with the Australian Industrial Property Organisation ("AIPO", now “IP Australia”). In addition, manufactured three sizes of solid timber child school desks in large stocks for the “Orana” school in Canberra (See attached photos on link below).

• Business Relocation Planning: Taking advantage of the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) located in Canberra, I’ve researched in detail better marketing areas to relocate my Art Equipment manufacturing business, as well as to open an Art School for my wife aiming to sell my production as well. Therefore, combining our common skills and experience. Back then, Brisbane and the Gold Coast showed to be the best possible locations.

                               ------- ::: ------
  - In 1996 I moved with my family to the Gold Coast (Queensland).

- Electrical Fitter Contractor (Before and after working for the National Gas Co.)                            (1974 – 1986)
- In 1986, I resigned from the National Gas Co. to start my self-employment as an electrician and carpentry contractor for major high-rise, multi-storey units and interior decorations (both trades) in partnership (DIDELCA P/L) with a friend.

• Fully Licensed Electrical contractor: (Class A - up to 15Kv – 12 storey) in high-rise, general main switchboards and servo-systems, commercial and domestic installations.

• Corporate Contracting: Managed high-level contract negotiation quoting workflows and payments (deposit for building materials and stage section accomplished) with architects and interior decorators for new dwellings, commercial, and high-rises.

• Electrical Grid Systems: Held a fully recognized Class A - Electrical Contractor License

  (qualified up to 15Kv works) to fit and maintain high-rise main switchboards, mains, water pump switches, and servo-systems (contactors, relays, power factor correction capacitors, timers, single phase RCD safety switches, etc.).

• Commercial Infrastructure: Installed 3-phase electrical commercial conduits, wiring, and lighting.

• High-rises: Up to 500Kva - 800 Amp- 3-phase general switchboard (not the feed mains done by energy supplier), rising mains to feed individual switchboard units and elevators (mains box only). Lighting for hallways and garage sensor with timers, automatic water pumps servo-systems, wiring for TV antennas, intercom devices, and structural building mains cabling networks.

• Extensive experience: quotation and contract dealings with architects, interior decorators, small private extensions and larger new buildings.

• Integrated Trade Execution: Handled structural timber fit-outs combining custom low-voltage lighting systems, roof trusses (combined with steel bolts & plates) and installed decorative ceiling and wall panels (similar to the ones I've installed at the New Parliament House in Canberra ACT, inside the Members’ Hall).

• In September 1986, I migrated to Australia with my family.

Canberra 1993 - Making a custom-made
kitchen at CFM
(Click on the photo to enlarge)

- Professional Upskilling & Technology Integration:

- To this period, to handle computers became essential to upgrade and develop new business ideas after the revolutionary upcoming of Windows 95 and Internet fast development.
I developed a strong passion for computing and information systems to support my current business operations, and a future business idea (opening an Art School for my wife). Thus, I completed formal nighttime studies, including a Certificate IV and a Diploma of Information Technology.

- Soon after gaining my Diploma, I immediately applied these technical skills to author a comprehensive corporate business plans, design promotional marketing assets, construct client databases, and engineer predictive financial cash-flow models.

Canberra 1995 - At my own workshop
(Click on the photo to enlarge)

“Any fear is an illusion.
You think that something is standing in your way,
but nothing is really there.
What is there, is an opportunity to do your best
and gain some success”.
Michael Jordan -US Basketball champion-

Two samples of newspaper's advertising
2 and 3 columns - (Not to scale)
These are my own designs among many others.
(Click on the photos to enlarge)

- Language Program Educational Design:
Spanish Language Instructor & Systems Administrator

• Curriculum Development: Designed, authored, and delivered highly practical, conversation-focused Spanish language courses structured across Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced skill tiers.

• IT Infrastructure & Technical Support: Handled all internal school IT operations, including assembling computer hardware systems, configuring workstations, and maintaining the educational network. I also supported my wife in all other technical aspects (advertising, actual and projection cash flows, manufacture of school desks, easels, students artwork racks, model stands, lighting, website design and update, photographing her artworks and classes for website, logo design, image editing, cleaning the venue, etc. )

• Business Administration: Applied advanced digital proficiency to manage all administrative workflows, including cost-analysis modeling, trend tracking, and national marketing campaigns.

Click here to see more photos of completed cabinet making & joinery projects

Example of one of the many safety plans I drew.
Here, specifications to discharge lightning strikes and anti corrosive protection for large gas storage tanks
and freight wagons.

Carlos drafting at the Gas Co. Technical Office
together with fellow staff
( Click on the photos to enlarge them )

- All records of those licenses and a full list of major works completed (a scanned copy of it -typewritten in Spanish-) that we used to present to architects is attached here, as well my carpentry work on plans, were thoroughly revised by the Australian Embassy officers in Argentina, before granting me the Skilled Migration Permanent Visa.

- The photos below show my first, the best, and the most beautiful combination of all works I have ever done in Australia so far. I am truly proud of that, as my first contribution to this beautiful country.

- Portfolio Marketing & Graphic Design:

• Design & Layout: Showcased below are a photo image of the school front showing the front sign and side advertisement I designed for my wife's Art classes. Additionally, two other examples of multi-column newspaper advertisements designed entirely by myself to advertise my Spanish classes.
  

Carlos teaching Spanish to Beginners & Intermediate level students. The last photo shows my farewell with Advanced students at a Latin-Night on the Gold Coast practicing with native Spanish speakers.
(Click on the photo to enlarge)