Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL) has increased its training for its service and parts employees throughout its national dealer network.

The brand has held top place in the heavy vehicle sales ranks for the past 35 years. As a result, Isuzu has sold and now oversees the on-road support of approximately 100,000 trucks that have been in operation for 10 years or less across the country – requiring a large number of replacement parts to keep the wheels turning.

Isuzu has been investing heavily in on-site training at its National Training Centre in Melbourne and across national dealer operations.

IAL’s national parts sales manager, Joel Gledhill, says training is a crucial element that distinguishes dealership professionals when they are recommending fit-for-purpose parts to customers.

“Isuzu has an extensive range that includes last mile light trucks that can be driven on a car licence, right through to heavy vehicles that are doing work such as concrete delivery and waste disposal,” said Joel.

“In fact, we have over 35,000 different part line items on hand. Ensuring the customer gets the right parts for their needs is dependent on the team correctly specifying those items across Isuzu’s network.”

Isuzu Australia’s trainers use a mix of theoretical and practical methods to ensure its parts professionals have the latest industry and product information at their fingertips.

“The training team from IAL is comprised of people with dealer, engineering and educational backgrounds, all combining to provide the best information for our customer-facing professionals,” Joel added.

“Customers can have total peace of mind that they will receive the right advice and the right componentry that meets Isuzu’s exacting standards.”

Isuzu has over 35,000 different part line items on hand. Image: Isuzu

One added benefit of specifying parts and componentry through the Isuzu network is this attention to detail and expertise.

“Numbering more than 70 sites across the country, the Isuzu network is huge, and all those sites have fully trained parts professionals trained and ready to assist,” continued Joel.

“All of the aftersales personnel are well-established transport experts who understand their customers’ needs; in many cases, they become a hub for local industry and their vehicle requirements.”

All Isuzu parts are housed and dispatched from IAL’s purpose-built 15,000 square-metre National Parts Distribution Centre in Melbourne’s west.

With 16,000 items processed daily at the facility, dealers are assured an ongoing inventory of parts to support their customers’ transport operations.

Isuzu Trucks offers parts and componentry under three key product ranges: Genuine Parts, Isuzu Approved Parts, and its second-tier Best Value Parts (BVP) range.

Isuzu offers a three-year warranty on all Isuzu Genuine and Approved Parts & Accessories when installed on an Isuzu truck by an approved dealership or Authorised Service and Parts Outlet (ASPO).

The BVP range is offered with a 12-month warranty, regardless of the installer.

“Increased demand for Isuzu parts has been met in our forecasting, and, in fact, we have room to scale up should the need arise,” noted Joel.

“Importantly, Isuzu customers that service through an Isuzu dealer or an ASPO site all have access to the same range of high-quality parts to keep the wheels turning.”

[signup]

The post Enhanced training helps keep the wheels turning appeared first on Big Rigs.

If you need someone from overseas to fill a gap and fly an aeroplane or a helicopter, you may be in luck, however those looking for qualified heavy vehicle drivers from abroad have been overlooked again.

The Australian Government has this week released its new Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and despite many fleets calling out for truck drivers, they haven’t been included in the list of 456 skilled occupations.

However for those looking for skilled trades in the workshop, jobs like diesel motor mechanics, panel beaters, vehicle painters, vehicle body builders and automotive electricians are all included on the list; as well as fleet managers.

The CSOL is designed target the skills Australia needs. According to the Australian Government, CSOL is consolidated list, informed by labour market analysis and stakeholder consultations by Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) that provides access to temporary skilled migration.

The CSOL applies to the Core Skills stream of the new Skills in Demand visa, which will replace the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa on December 7, 2024. The CSOL will also apply to the Direct Entry stream of the permanent Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa.

The Australian Government added that further details on other reform taking place on December 7, 2024, including the Skills in Demand visa and National Innovation visa, will be announced shortly.

[signup]

The post Truckies overlooked in newly released skilled visa occupation list appeared first on Big Rigs.

Working at a law practice or playing bassoon in an orchestra might seem like somewhat lofty endeavours compared to carting lime and fertiliser across Western Australia in six-wheeler C-trains.

But for former apprentice lawyer and professional musician Julie Gooch, the transition to trucking came naturally – and now she’s just as comfortable in the paddocks as she is dealing with the bureaucrats at Main Roads.

Julie, 53, had completed a law degree and was in the process of undertaking an apprenticeship with a law practice when life took an unexpected turn.

“My late husband and I had a farm, and he needed a truck driver for the harvest,” she said.

“So, he taught me how to drive a truck, but I never thought I’d be driving for more than a few weeks each year.

“I had just started an intense law apprenticeship when my husband decided we were selling our farm, buying a yacht and sailing the world.”

Despite the tragic loss of her husband, she never gave up on trucking.

In fact, she decided to jump in at the deep end and buy her own rig – a Mack Super-Liner.

“It was really exciting, buying my own truck,” she said.

“It was a big purchase for a woman on her own, but many truck drivers say you’re buying yourself a job – and that’s what I did.”

Julie then started subcontracting for a local company called Broomehill Bulk Haulage, after meeting the owner Barry Baynes while running the farm with her husband.

“Barry, the owner, gave me the opportunity to drive the largest vehicles allowed in our area – six-wheeler C-trains grossing up to 118 ton.

“And so began my huge learning curve.”

Initially, Julie found trucking physically challenging – but she’s figured out her own ways of doing things.

“The hitching and unhitching of trailers was tricky, as the hydraulics and airlines for the dog trailer were recessed at the back of the lead trailer,” she said.

“This was when I discovered I needed much longer arms and a truck load of strength.

“Instead, I used my brain and invented a tool that enabled me to use both hands to take the hydraulic in and out. Bliss!”

Julie says that if you have a passion for something, nothing should hold you back. Image: Julie Gooch

Another issue she has come across is sexism in the transport industry – especially as there are so few female truckies in her area.

“Most of the men were wonderfully supportive, keeping a close eye on me as I honed my skills and gained the confidence to do things on my own.

“The flip side, of course, were the minority who didn’t believe women should drive trucks, and these blokes had no problem saying so.

“Instead of swearing, I’d hit them with lawyer speak and walk off leaving them standing there scratching their heads. I always knew that law degree would come in handy!”

Julie also audits transport companies for Main Roads, and her law experience serves her well there too.

“Coming from the ‘white collar’ world of law and music, to then going across to what would be considered the blue collar world, it certainly opens your eyes to everybody’s point of view.

“The heavy vehicle section of Main Roads – none of them actually know how to drive a truck,

“So I can speak to them in a language they understand, but I also understand the truck driver’s point of view.”

Julie now runs Broomehill Bulk Haulage with her partner Barry Baynes. Image: Julie Gooch

Over time, Julie’s professional relationship with Barry, the owner of Broomehill Bulk Haulage, blossomed into a romantic one and the pair now run the business together.

Julie admits she never expected to end up in the transport industry, but she absolutely loves it.

“I think trucking appeals to the perfectionist in me,” she said.

“When I was a musician in the orchestra, if you made a mistake, you were seriously frowned upon.

“Make too many mistakes, you might get the sack.

“You can’t really afford to make a mistake in a truck, because people’s lives are at stake.”

Sharing her advice for other women who might be interested in entering the transport industry, she said: “If you have a burning passion for something, nothing should hold you back.

“I lost my mother and my husband when they were both quite young, and it taught me to just go for what you want.

“There’s no sequel to your life – you only get one shot.”

[signup]

The post Lawyer turned truckie loving life driving C-trains in WA appeared first on Big Rigs.

The team at Rocklea Truck Electrical (RTE) got behind Movember last month, raising a total of $8638 for the cause.

There were nine team members who took part, helping RTE surpass its original fundraising goal of $5000.

Started in a small shared Rocklea shed in 2003, the company is now in a state-of-the-art facility in Darra, in Queensland’s south-east.

It was founded by Kim and Brock Macdonald and specialises in truck customisation including its Sleeper Air systems designed specifically for Australian conditions, as well as manufacturing and fitting chrome truck accessories, lighting, starters, alternators, spare parts and more.

The site includes 14 permanent bays, five service bays and parking for over a dozen more trucks.

RTE’s Georgie Lee said Brock had wanted to get involved with fundraising for Movember, so organised a special event to kick-start it.

“It’s just such a great cause to get behind for men’s mental and physical health,” she said.

RTE held a race day at Doomben Racecourse in Brisbane on November 9, where they organised a punter’s club. Those who backed a winner could choose to take the winnings or donate it to RTE’s Movember fundraiser. “But most chose to donate,” added Georgie.

[signup]

The post Rocklea Truck Electrical gets behind Movember appeared first on Big Rigs.

The NHVR is teaming up with police to launch a fatigue blitz across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania this Christmas.  

Operation Omega will see hundreds of officers on the ground, conducting inspections and ensuring truck drivers are complying with work and rest requirements. 

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the operation comes in response to unacceptably high rates of fatal heavy vehicle crashes and fatigue non-compliance.  

“This year, we have sadly already seen 120 fatal crashes involving heavy vehicles across Australia and 135 lives lost.

“Fatigue remains one of the deadliest risks on our roads – which is why we are doing everything in our power to ensure all road users get home safe this Christmas.

“Officers will conduct roadside checks, inspect logbooks and monitor driving behaviour to identify and prevent fatigue-related incidents occurring.” 

Petroccitto said Operation Omega will see officers focus their efforts across high-risk areas where driver fatigue poses “significant danger”. 

He continued: “We are partnering with police across the country, increasing our patrols at identified high crash risk areas, during high fatigue risk hours.  

“As part of the NHVR’s inform, educate and enforce approach, our officers will continue to work with industry to raise better awareness of the extreme risk that fatigue presents.” 

From January to October this year, the NHVR recorded more than 1,750 fatigue-related offences across NSW, including heavy vehicle drivers exceeding their permitted work hours, or failing to record work and rest hours. 

“While we understand the pressures and deadlines drivers may face during the busy festive period, cutting corners on rest is simply not an option,” Petroccitto added. 

Heavy vehicle drivers who feel pressured by their employer to drive while fatigued can call the NHVR’s Heavy Vehicle Confidential Reporting Hotline on 1800 931 785. 

[signup]

The post NHVR to launch major fatigue blitz across five states this Christmas appeared first on Big Rigs.