Forklift retailer Toyota Material Handling Australia (TMHA) recently hosted its National Skills Competition for 2024. Its Lead Technical Trainer and Adviser, Luke Rowley, spoke to MHD about the importance of celebrating its technicians’ skills.
Toyota Material Handling Australia (TMHA) has held its National Skills Competition for almost two decades. Since its inception in 2007, this event has grown in significance, recognising and celebrating the best talents within TMHA’s service teams across the nation.
The significance of the National Skills Competition
The National Skills Competition is more than just an event; it is a testament to TMHA’s dedication to excellence and continuous improvement.
“The National Skills Contest is a long-standing pillar of TMHA,” says Luke Rowley, Lead Technical Trainer and Adviser.
“It’s an essential part of the business, recognising excellence in our service teams nationally.”
The competition’s rigorous selection process ensures only the most skilled technicians and apprentices make it to the finals, where their expertise is put to the test.
The contest’s importance to TMHA can’t be overstated. It serves as a platform to highlight the technical prowess and dedication of its service personnel.
“It’s not easy to make it to the finals and even more difficult to win,” notes Luke. “The finalists are rightly looked at as the best of the best, and we celebrate their achievements.”
This recognition boosts the morale of the employees and sets a benchmark for service excellence within the industry.
The path to the finals: rigorous testing and selection
The journey to the finals of the competition is a challenging one, designed to sift out most competent individuals. The process begins with two stages of online exams, which serve as the initial filter. These exams are a mix of multiple-choice and long-answer questions that cover all of TMHA’s product lines.
“The online exams are open book with increasingly difficult questions throughout,” explains Luke.
This format ensures only those with a deep understanding of the products and strong problem-solving skills advance to the next stage.
Once the initial stages are cleared, the finalists head to Sydney for the ultimate test: practical assessments on real units. These practical exams are designed to evaluate the technicians and apprentices in a real-world setting, ensuring their theoretical knowledge translates into practical skills.
The eight stages of the two-day competition
The finals of the competition are spread over two days, featuring eight stages. These stages are divided into four service stations and four repair stations, each representing different product areas within TMHA.
“We have Toyota counterbalance forklifts, warehouse forklifts, Huski Construction Equipment, and allied products such as our elevated work platforms represented,” explains Luke.
This approach guarantees the competitors are tested on an array of skills and knowledge, reflecting the diverse range of products that TMHA offers.
Judging criteria: safety, professionalism, and problem-solving
The adjudicators of the National Skills Competition adhere to strict criteria when evaluating the competitors. Safety principles are of utmost importance.
“Safety principles are paramount when judging the stations,” notes Luke.
The judges look for best practices that do not compromise safety in any way.
“We are also assessing their professionalism, methodical approach, and overall how well they can solve the problems presented to them,” adds Luke.
This holistic evaluation ensures the winners truly embody the excellence TMHA strives for.
Prizes and recognition: rewarding excellence
The competition isn’t only about honouring skills, but also about rewarding them.
Apart from the ability to win cash prizes, the rewards for the top performers are substantial. The winner of the Apprentice of the Year title is awarded a trip overseas to one of TMHA’s production facilities, providing them with invaluable exposure to international practices and innovations.
The Master Technician also accompanies the Apprentice of the Year on their trip overseas.
“The prizes are designed to both recognise and incentivise excellence,” says Luke.
Michael Scheepers from TMHA Adelaide was judged Master Technician for 2024.
TMHA Brisbane-based Luke Agnew claimed the runner-up prize, while Aaron Smith also from TMHA Brisbane rounded out the top three.
As Master Technician, Michael was awarded a cash prize, as well as a free international trip and factory tour of one of Toyota Material Handling’s manufacturing facilities. Possible destinations include Japan, Sweden and the US.
Six of the highest-scoring apprentices were also flown to Moorebank, where they spent a single day rotating through six 45-minute stations ranging from fault finding, to servicing and electrical processes such as crimping terminals and soldering, testing batteries and fork tynes, chains and hydraulics.
After a close-run finish, fourth-year apprentice Joshua Lambert from TMHA Adelaide was awarded the 2024 National Apprentice of the Year award, and as a result will be accompanying Michael on an overseas factory tour.
A legacy of excellence and commitment
The National Skills Competition has carved out a legacy of excellence within TMHA. Since its addition in 2008, the Apprentice Skills Contest has become an integral part of this legacy, fostering the development of young talent and ensuring a continuous influx of skilled professionals into the industry.
For TMHA, the competition isn’t just about identifying the best technicians and apprentices; it’s about fostering a culture of excellence, safety, and innovation. It showcases the company’s commitment to providing high-quality service and support to its customers, underlining the importance of skilled service personnel in maintaining TMHA’s reputation for reliability and excellence.
By recognising and rewarding the best talents within its service teams, TMHA not only enhances its service quality, but also fosters a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
As Luke says: “The finalists are rightly looked at as the best of the best, and we celebrate their achievements.”
To read more about TMHA, click here
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