Bus, Truck & Trailer Manufacturing Supervisor Profile
I have always wanted to be involved in the automotive industry since I was younger. I grew up in New Zealand , where my dad managed his own cartage company, so I remember even when I was 5 years old I would always be working on and modifying old Bedford trucks. Then at around the age of 10 or 11, I was learning how to drive trucks.
By the time I was 16 years old, I moved away from the automotive industry and began working in the railways and at the harbour board, mostly fitting and turning and a bit of tool making. I began a number of apprenticeships, but never completed them. As a young kid I could never conform to all the rules and regulations. But as I grew older and wiser I began aiming towards becoming a diesel fitter/fuel specialist. That is what I always really wanted to do, and still have ambitions for.
A little while back, I noticed an advertisement in the local paper for a Bus, Truck & Trailer Manufacturing Operator at a truck manufacturing company. I didn’t think I had any chance of getting the job, but I decided to come down anyway and apply. Nearly three years on I have since earned my Certificate III in Automotive Manufacturing (Bus, Truck & Trailer) and am responsible for training on the floor.
The extent of knowledge I have learnt during my time here just about covers the entire breadth of the automotive industry, not just relating to the workshop, but also organisational and managerial concerns. So it has been a great place to work because of the constant challenges.
The work I do
I am involved in supervisory or team leader responsibilities, which includes undertaking a variety of tasks appropriate to the particular workplace, in the manufacturing and assembly of buses and/or trucks and/or trailers.
The range of duties will often include reading and interpreting engineering drawings and job specifications, welding, cutting, fabricating, painting, assembling and fitting out components and replacing air conditioning and refrigeration systems and assembling/installing hydraulic, pneumatic and braking systems. My experience in this job has given me the freedom to work in different sectors, and definitely assists with difficult situations that I come across everyday.
The technology has increased significantly over the last 2 years. Previously it was necessary to complete a number of tedious chores that were essential to the production process. Now we are able to concentrate entirely on ensuring that the 12 trucks that are assembled each week are manufactured perfectly. Technology has simplified the process, however the skills taught now are much more practical.
My workplace
The set-up out on the workshop floor is excellent. The workshop is continually expanding as the company increases its output. So given the space we have, the level of output, and the number of employees, the place holds up pretty well!
There is a terrific social network here. Everybody gets together a fair bit, and we have developed into a tight knit group. We always organise some sort of activity once a year for everyone, whether it be skydiving, fishing charters, car rallies or white water rafting.
I love working with different people, but often we don’t get the opportunity, so days like these are sensational. We also have a BBQ every month where we have a few drinks, a few sausages, hang around for a couple of hours and then we head our own ways. We maintain this social life because we spend so much time together.
Education and training
I recently completed my Certificate III in Automotive Manufacturing (Bus, Truck & Trailer), so I am at the stage where I have done almost everything and anything to do with metal work, giving me a fairly solid background.
A diesel maintainer apprenticeship or a fitter and turner apprenticeship
are so hard to get into. In my experience, I’ve found that this sort
of trade can provide the ideal launching pad into a diesel fitter/fuel
specialist or a fitter and turner apprenticeship. Working in the truck
industry provides an excellent starting point into the automotive industry
because of the wide exposure and good education structure.
>> course/qualification
Why I love this industry…
I love anything to do with metal. It’s what I know and it’s what I am good at. I’m definitely going to stick with what I’m good at because the more skilful I become, the more I will be rewarded for doing what I love. It’s been a long journey, but well worthwhile. I am always looking to expand my knowledge, so the way I see it is that I’m here for a good time, not a long time. So I want to cram it all in, and achieve as much as possible by improving my knowledge in all areas.
Further down the track I am looking towards adding to my bus, truck and trailer training with my maintenance fitting course and, if I can, my tool making apprenticeship. I would love to bring it all together and open a truck engineering business in 10 years time. That’s where I’ve always wanted to go.
ATA would like to thank Kenworth Trucks for their assistance.