2019 HVIA National Apprentice Challenge teams announced

Three teams have been selected to represent their regions at the 2019 HVIA National Apprentice Challenge that will be staged live at the 2019 Brisbane Truck Show from Thursday 16 May to Sunday 19 May.

A record number of apprentices sat the gruelling exam this year, and the two highest results from each of the regions were selected to compete in the intense challenge held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Event coordinator, former HVIA Director Chris Musch managed the selection process of the teams and commends all applicants for taking part in the rigorous exam.

“Every apprentice who gave the exam a go deserves a pat on the back, it was a tough one. TAFE Queensland SkillsTech provided excellent support this year in helping to arrange the exam and mark the large amount of entries that were submitted,” Mr Musch said.

“Our selected competitors are a mixture of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th-year apprentices and it’s great to see these young people start a journey that will open doors to rewarding career paths in the industry, with opportunities in national and international spheres.

“The competing teams will secure an all-expenses-paid trip to Brisbane for the 2019 Brisbane Truck Show and will receive tool prizes provided by Warby Tools.

“The winning team, hosted by our major competition sponsor NTI Truck Assist, will attend the Gold Coast 600 Supercars Championship event in October 2019.

“They will also be lucky enough to meet some drivers at the championship in the bustling pit lane and will take home a Red Bull Holden racing team merchandise pack thanks to Iveco Trucks.”

With talented competitors and major prizes up for grabs this year, the competition is expected to be as fierce as ever.

They will work against the clock to identify and correct generated faults on identical trucks provided by Iveco Trucks Australia.

“Visitors at the show can watch the compelling competition unfold with commentary explaining the apprentices’ strategies as they approach the challenge. The spectacle grows even more intense as teams watch their time limit evaporate,” Mr Musch said.

The teams are:

Eastern region (representing Queensland, New South Wales, and Australian Capital Territory)

• Campbell Garson – 3rd-year apprentice – RoadTek (Qld Department of Transport & Main Roads), Bundaberg QLD
• Kieran Herlihy – 4th-year apprentice – Iveco, Sydney NSW

North-western region (Western Australia and Northern Territory)

• Christopher Smith – 4th-year apprentice – Westrans Services, Perth WA
• Aaron Rich – 4th-year apprentice – Cummins South Pacific, Perth WA

Southern region (Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania)

• James Greig – 3rd-year apprentice – Westar Trucks, Melbourne VIC
• Brett Holland – 2nd-year apprentice – CMV Truck & Bus, Melbourne VIC

“The hands-on competition is an exciting and valuable opportunity for heavy vehicle mechanical apprentices. Having notified the successful candidates of their selection I think it’s safe to say we’re ready to get on with the challenge with the truck show just around the corner,” he said.

See the 2019 HVIA National Apprentice Challenge heats live at the Hall 3 Loading Dock on Thursday 16, Friday 17, and Saturday 18 from 1.00 pm, and don’t miss the final on Sunday 19 at 1.00 pm.