Two apprentice technicians have secured wildcard entries to Hino Australia’s 2027 National Skills Contest following a new competition designed to develop emerging talent across its dealer network.
Lucas Whitmore from Prestige Hino in Victoria and Andrew Bartolo from CMI Hino Adelaide were named the inaugural Hino Apprentice Challenge winners, earning the opportunity to compete in the national contest in November 2027.
The challenge extends Hino’s existing skills competition to apprentice technicians for the first time, creating a pathway for employees still developing their trade knowledge.
For truck operators, investment in workshop capability has a practical connection to vehicle availability. Identifying faults accurately and completing repairs effectively are important parts of keeping trucks working, particularly as vehicle technology becomes more complex.
Testing skills beyond the classroom
The Apprentice Challenge began with four qualifying rounds held over four months. The top 16 qualifiers then attended a three-day final at Hino Australia’s National Training Centre in Sydney.
The final combined training with practical assessments of diagnostic and technical skills. Results from both the qualifying rounds and the final determined the two winners.
“This year, we have launched a Hino Apprentice Challenge, which will mean two Apprentice Technicians will win a wildcard entry to the 2027 National Skills Contest,” said Gus Belanszky, General Manager of Service and Customer Support for Hino Australia.
The finalists represented dealerships across Australia, giving apprentices from different workshop environments an opportunity to test their knowledge and learn at the national training centre.
Alongside the national contest entries, the highest scorer from each qualifying round will receive a Team 18 garage experience ahead of the Adelaide round of the Supercars Championship.
The experience will provide an opportunity to work alongside the Hino-sponsored team as it prepares its racecars.
Building workshop capability
Hino holds its National Skills Contest every second year, with the qualifying process intended to encourage participation across its dealership network.
“The Hino National Skills Contest is held every second year which ensures a robust qualifying period and enables a broad cross-section of dealership staff to participate,” said Mr Belanszky.
While the competition recognises individual achievement, its broader purpose is to develop the knowledge available to customers through dealership teams.
“It gives us an opportunity to assess and recognise the expertise, commitment and professionalism of our people, while delivering tangible benefits to customers through enhanced technical knowledge and skills,” he said.
Mr Belanszky said the contest also supports workforce development across the business.
“It also plays an important role in attracting and retaining talented parts, sales and service professionals, helping us build a skilled and dedicated workforce across Australia,” he said.
For fleet managers assessing service support, technician development is one factor to consider alongside workshop capacity, parts availability and access to diagnostic equipment. The apprentice challenge provides an example of how a manufacturer is bringing employees into its national training and recognition program earlier in their careers.
