Long before the Brisbane Truck Show open on the second day, some of the best heavy vehicle apprentice technicians from around the country were competing in the heats to win the HVIA National Apprenticeship Challenge.
The 12 technicians were picked as the best and brightest from around the country to compete in teams of two over six rounds. It’s state versus state with the top three teams competing in a final on Friday afternoon.
The winning team will be the first to identify and repair all the faults, or the team that rectifies the most faults within the allowed timeframe. They are given a list of faults to diagnose in 45 minutes and time penalties are applied for safety beaches and other traits of sloppy workmanship.
Pressure is also applied to the contestants because they are competing with an audiences of more than 500 school students in the cauldron-like arena of the South Bank Piazza.
For visitors to the show the competition is a dynamic spectacle, with commentary explaining the apprentices’ moves and strategy, as their approach unfolds. Things can get tense as the teams watch their available time evaporate.
It’s also recruiting exercise for some of the big brands and workshop operators. With labour shortages making it hard to attract and retain good quality technicians, several key industry figures have been spotted in the stands scouting for talent.
The event is being co-ordinated by former HVIA Director Chris Musch, who knows first-hand how far an apprentice’s career can go.
“I started in this great industry as an apprentice when I was fifteen, just like our nominees,” he says.
“It has given me opportunities to work in many different sectors of the industry, both here in Australia and overseas, from the shop floor and into different levels of management.”
HVIA CEO Todd Hacking says the number of participants in the 2023 National Apprentice Challenge is testimony to the emerging talent coming into the heavy vehicle industry.
“The response has again been exceptional, with participants including second-, third- and fourth-year apprentices, Australia-wide,” he says.
“These young people are at the beginning of a journey that will open doors to hugely rewarding career paths with Australian and international companies involved in the manufacture, distribution and support of trucks, trailers and their components.”
The 2021 victors recommend apprentices and their employers to get involved in Challenge. Team mates Luke Kneebone and Samuel Allan, said competing in the 2021 HVIA National Apprentice Challenge was a daunting – but ultimately rewarding – experience.
“I would highly recommend any apprentice with a passion for the industry to take part in the Challenge as it is a very rewarding experience,” Luke says.
In the end Luke, from Webster Trucks in Devonport, Tasmania, and Samuel, from Ballarat Isuzu, prevailed in the pressure-cooker final to take the title, snaring prizes including a set of tools and a hosted trip to the Supercars Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 – with the full corporate treatment, pit lane tours and a whole lot more.
The 2023 the contenders are:
- Brayden Conaghan, Penske Australia (TAFE Qld Skills Tech)
- Lachlan Tate, Brown & Hurley (TAFE Qld Skills Tech)
- Sara Attard, Transport for NSW (TAFE NSW)
- Ben Seyffer, Nowra Truck & Trailer Repairs (TAFE NSW)
- Nathan Kaker, Penske Australia (Central Regional TAFE WA)
- Caleb Todd, Cummins South Pacific (Central Regional TAFE WA)
- Jacob Zurzolo, MTAWA (SM TAFE WA)Blade Elzerm, Major Motors Isuzu (SM TAFE WA)
- Paris Maw, CMV Truck & Bus Wodonga (Kangan TAFE VIC)
- Jackson Marriott, Peninsula Diesel (Kangan TAFE VIC)
- Kyle Guy, Followmont Transport (Busy at Work QLD)
- Ryan Robinson, Followmont Transport (Busy at Work QLD)
And the winners were….
- Brayden Conaghan, Penske Australia (TAFE Qld Skills Tech)
- Lachlan Tate, Brown & Hurley (TAFE Qld Skills Tech)
