Heavy (Vehicle Road Transport Mechanic) Profile
I always knew the heavy vehicle industry existed, but I never really gave it much thought. As a young lad, my dad was always tinkering with my mini bike, fixing it up after I pranged it. So he would show me what he was doing, and eventually I was confident enough to get involved and have a fiddle myself.
At high school, university never really appealed to me – I probably also didn’t apply myself as much as I could have, and as a result I never really believed I was capable of going to college.
In year 11, the RAAF came to our school on a recruiting campaign. I spoke to one of their guys one-on-one, and basically expressed my interest in discovering my options within the RAAF. Following a few meetings I developed an understanding of the enormous opportunities available through a heavy vehicle trade – so the variety on offer won me over and I decided to join the military to ply my trade through the RAAF as a Heavy Vehicle Mechanic.
I gained enormous exposure to so many different areas, which really provided a great starting point because of the opportunities available and the versatility involved.
After a number of years I saw a position open up at a global company involved with heavy vehicles and mining. I had a huge interest in this, so I knew this is the path I wanted to take – there were just so many opportunities to travel and learn. I am now a Service Engineer for large mining trucks at an internationally recognised mining company. But I definitely know I wouldn’t be sitting here now if I didn’t have the chance to discover my passion through a Heavy Vehicle Mechanic apprenticeship.
The work I do
Working as a Heavy Vehicle Mechanic, we primarily looked at the overhaul, service and repair the mechanical parts of road transport vehicles such as engine, transmission and the suspension systems.
We also discussed problems with vehicle drivers to discover faults, allowing them to carry out their own diagnosis procedures. We also repaired and serviced cooling systems, diesel fuel systems, air conditioning, engine forced induction systems and clutch assemblies.
In addition, we also were involved in the overhaul, repair and service of engines, manual and automatic transmissions, air braking systems and final drive assemblies and repair and service steering and suspension systems. The repair of ignition, electronic engine management and electrical systems and safety/roadworthy inspections were also encompassed in the heavy vehicle mechanic’s duties.
Currently though, I am the Service Engineer for large mining trucks at an internationally recognised mining company. I my current role I put together charters, which are basically software programs to continually improve the products once they have already been developed.
The whole technological aspects of the industry are really beginning to boom and are creating a quite a big breakthrough for the industry. It is now commonplace for these awesome machines to be controlled and improved through software developments, which we can simply upload onto the machine engine and reap the benefits of it, whether it’s increased power or reduced emissions or both.
My workplace
When I was working as a Heavy Vehicle mechanic, I was situated at an Army base with the RAAF. I worked on all ground equipment, essentially anything non-flying. This ranged from ground power units through to resting cables and even included aviation fuel installations. I also did a bit of work on fire engines, emergency vehicles, and some of the light vehicles. It was a very broad role without a doubt.
As a Service Engineer I work primarily within an office environment. However I often get the opportunity to travel and go ‘on-site’ a far bit. I must admit I do love the travel involved in my position now. Since commencing my new position I have had the opportunity to travel to South East Asia, New Zealand and throughout Australia .
It is quite multicultural in the office, which provides a huge advantage within the business environment, especially given our involvement with Asia . This stems from our global exchange program, so we now have people from all areas of the world intermingled into the one environment. There are a couple of different languages being thrown around over the telephones. Everyone welcomes the challenges and rewards that come from working in this multicultural environment.
Education and training
After leaving school in year 11, I began my apprenticeship with the RAAF and over the years completed my Certificate III in Automotive (Mechanical – Heavy Vehicle Road Transport). When I finished the on-the-job component, I wanted to further my education so I enrolled into a Diploma in Electronics Engineering.
I then got out of the Air Force and went back to full time study and completed my Advanced Diploma in Electrical Engineering and eventually a Bachelor of Commerce, specialising in management. Then I commenced employment at my current location.
In the short term I plan to begin my Masters of Business Administration
over a number of years. I think it is always necessary to continually learn
and develop my knowledge, especially within global organisations. One degree
is certainly not enough to keep the mind active, nor enough to keep the
resume full.
>> course/qualification
Why I love this industry…
Working as a Heavy Vehicle Mechanic, I have had the chance to work on some of the largest, most expensive mining trucks ever made. The vehicles are quite exciting to work on, and are simply awesome to see.
This atmosphere has also provided me with a good skills set as I now have a wide variety of expertise in hydraulics, electronics, mechanics, power training, suspensions and so on. The Heavy Vehicle Mechanic’s job provided the ideal starting point and then I was able to branch off to expand my versatility and adaptability. I had so many opportunities to experience many different facets outside the regular trade boundaries. So I think it’s important to start off with a qualification that gives you broad opportunities.
It’s an awesome industry to be in, an awesome product to work with and an awesome responsibility to say the least when companies invest millions of dollars and a considerable degree of faith into these machines. It is a pretty big responsibility to ensure they perform as they are meant to perform.