Eight teams of Isuzu Trucks technicians and apprentices will compete at the National Technical Skills Competition in Melbourne later this month, with their eye on the final.

These competitors earned their place in the next stage the competition after recently taking part in an online qualifier event that tested the automotive knowledge and skills of 63 apprentices and technicians through a one-hour written exam, with technicians also completing three 10-minute virtual failure diagnostic exercises.

At the next stage, being held on July 27, competitors will undertake a one-hour written exam and a one-hour on-vehicle exercise. They will be vying for a spot to compete against Isuzu technicians from around the world at the I-1 Grand Prix (I-1 GP) in November – with only going through to the final round.

Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL) national training manager David Smith said the National Technical Skills Competition was a fantastic opportunity for technicians and apprentices to showcase their skills.

“Supporting our technicians is crucial, given the shortage of skilled workers in the industry in Australia and globally,” Smith said.

Earlier this year, Australia’s National Skills Commission said its latest assessment of skill shortages found that 42 per cent of technician and trade occupations are in shortage, compared to 19 per cent of all occupations in shortage.

Pre-covid, the annual I-1 GP was held in Japan since 2006 but this year the event is once again a virtual competition.

IAL’s team won the international competition in 2011, and made podium finishes in six more international events.

“The National Technical Skills Competition, the I-1 GP and the Walkinshaw Andretti United V8 supercar pit crew experience are some of the fantastic skill-building experiences for technicians at Isuzu,” Smith added.

“These experiences are in addition to the regular training undertaken by Isuzu Trucks technicians to update their knowledge of vehicle inspections, diagnosis, repairs and systems management.”

The eight technicians who will compete for a place on the I-1 Grand Prix team at the international competition are:

The eight apprentices who will compete are:

The top two highest-scoring technicians and the top two scoring apprentices at the National Technical Skills competition will also win thousands of dollars’ worth of Snap-On tools.

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