Truckstops is helping young people get into the commercial transport industry through an in-house apprentice programme involving brand specific training and support.
Staff training and development is a major focus for the national commercial parts and service provider. It also has its own purpose-built National Development Centre in Auckland for its technicians and apprentices.
The company currently has apprentices at every one of its 19 sites around the country and is expecting nine people to complete their qualification this year.
In 2020, the company had nine apprentices complete their qualification and a further 16 apprentices complete qualifications in 2019.
The completion and success rate is also high with only one apprentice dropping from the programme in the last 24 months and that was due to illness.
“Over 90% of our apprentices complete their qualification in less than four years, which is the standard time for this qualification,” Truckstops national operations manager Karl Relph says.
“We offer our apprentices permanent employment from the outset of the apprentice programme. Over the last five years 100% of our apprentices have been promoted to diesel technicians upon successfully completing the programme.”
Ben Whalley, Truckstops Christchurch, says signing up as an apprentice has helped him pursue a dream career in the transport industry.
“Ever since I was young, I have had a strong interest in motorbikes, cars, and anything on wheels pretty much.
“I decided to leave my motorbikes as a hobby and moved onto bigger things for my career, so I signed myself up for work experience at Truckstops.
“Having thoroughly enjoyed work experience they asked me to apply for an apprenticeship. My application was a success and I took the job opportunity.
“Being an apprentice at Truckstops Christchurch is more than just a job for me, it’s a dream that I’m chasing, a passion,” Whalley says.
Julz Baxter, Truckstops Invercargill, says the programme is about learning in “an evolving industry and it’s also a qualification and a trade I can take with me wherever I go”.
“Being in heavy automotive is a dream I never thought I could get my foot into, but here I am. I’m so excited to learn and gain a lot more skills to improve my own skill set,” Baxter says.
Cosmo Goode, Truckstops Mt Maunganui, says joining the apprentice programme has been a great career move.
“I chose this path with Truckstops because I had heard great things about the company.
“I chose a career as a heavy diesel technician because I really liked the idea of working on big trucks rather than small cars, but after the induction it has made me proud of my decision and to be a part of a leading company in the New Zealand trucking industry.
“I also found it interesting hearing how much a truck means to the driver and a business.
“I am proud to be responsible to work on a vehicle that the owner/driver is so passionate about,” Goode says.
The Truckstops apprentice programme keeps technicians up to date with some of the most modern and technologically advanced trucks on the road today.
The company brings in new apprentices annually through a nationwide recruitment drive and looks for people who are passionate about trucks and the automotive industry.
With around 50 apprentices in training at any one time, it is one of the largest employers of automotive apprentices in New Zealand.
The programme helps apprentices work towards achieving a national qualification with MITO with tailored individual learning plans. Apprenticeships include Heavy Vehicle Diesel Technician and Automotive Parts and Accessories Merchandising.
Some career paths include diesel technician, parts, service, administration and management.
