Hino Distributors (NZ) Ltd will be relaunching a truck driver’s licence competition to help combat the nationwide driver shortage at the Central Districts Fieldays on March 17.
Last year the Manawatu-based distributor gave three prize packages for the winners to upgrade to a Class 4 or Class 5 heavy transport licence, and it has decided to repeat the process again this year.
“Many drivers find it difficult to make the transition from Class 2 and Class 4 to the required Class 5 needed for heavy-duty trucks,” says Hino NZ’s acting GM, Chris Brown, who is also the GM of Sime Darby Commercial Group.
“It takes time, money, and they need access to the right vehicle for lessons. We want to make it easier for three lucky recipients and help our industry in the process,” says Brown.
With either Class 4 or Class 5 truck licence prize packages up for grabs, the winners will receive logbook (unit standard) theory, practical training and assessment through AMS Group. Each package has a value up to $1,000.
In addition to launching the competition at CD Field Days, Hino NZ will have a range of light, medium, and heavy-duty trucks on their site, including Dews Construction Ltd’s latest Hino Euro 5 700 Series FY3248.
Dews Construction is a multi-civil contracting business who primarily work with local authorities in the wider Wellington region.
Its new truck has a Palfinger PK17 crane, T20 hook loader, and 40mm Ringfeder trailer gear fitted. It can change from a tipping bin, and flat deck with a small bulk tipper, to a self-contained hydro vacuum excavator, thanks to three different bodies built by Gary Douglas Engineers.
This flexibility allows the truck to be used for a variety of applications including recent work on the MacKays to Peka Peka Road project. The large crane is particularly useful for big building structures and bridges.
The majority of Dews Construction’s 36 vehicle fleet are medium and heavy-duty Hino trucks.
“The brand is really good for our industry, and we’ve had no issues with our trucks,” says Company Director, Dave Dews.
Dews says he is impressed with the new automatic transmission gear box, which he reckons makes the vehicles even safer for the drivers.
“We get good service, and have had an excellent working relationship with Hino for six or seven years now,” says Dews.
