What a fantastic evening with our staff, new and graduating apprentices and their families, and industry guests, as we welcomed our new apprentices to the team and celebrated those who have completed their apprenticeship!

On March 23, we held our annual Apprentice Evening at the dealership. This is an event we look forward to every year, as it not only ‘breaks the ice’ for our new apprentices and celebrates our graduates, it also gives us the chance to shine light on our industry-leading training programs.

As guests arrived on the night, they were welcomed with an impressive display of big rigs surrounding the entry to our dealership, and the magnificent smell of the caterer’s wood-fired oven.

Before the ‘official’ part of the night commenced, our staff and guests had the opportunity to mingle over a drink or two, and enjoy deliciously cooked wood-oven pizzas, gorgeously tender beef skewers, and mouth-watering prawn skewers by Amore Pizza.

To begin the night’s formalities, Heath Patten, CMV Truck Centre General Manager, took the opportunity to officially welcome all of our valued guests and provided everyone with an insight as to why CMV Truck Centre’s Apprenticeship Programs are so successful.

 

Heath said, “This is a fantastic night to celebrate our new and graduating apprentices.” 

“These apprentices form the backbone of our business so it’s important to have this program here and provide them with the best support and training in the industry,” Heath continued.

Nick Varsos, CMV Truck Centre Parts Manager, welcomed our new Parts Apprentices, and also gave our guests an understanding into the Parts Apprenticeship Program and the intricacies of parts interpretation.

Nick explained that his new apprentices will be taking a hands-on approach in his department, ensuring they learn the necessary skills to respond to customers’ needs and understand how to confidently problem solve. 

Welcome to our First Year Parts Apprentices –

• Matt Ellis
• William Wright
  
  

Our new Parts Apprentices have already proven to be valued team members in their short time at the dealership, and we are looking forward to seeing how their skills continue to develop over their apprenticeship. 

Josh Caccianiga, CMV Truck Centre Service Operations Manager, then took to stage and spoke in detail about what skills and experiences our First Year Apprentices will gain through the program.
From routine servicing, all the way to inframe and out-of-frame engine rebuilds, they will be learning from the best in our workshop’s state-of-the-art facilities.

Josh then went on to explain why our program stands out from other Apprentice Programs in the automotive industry. 
“At CMV Truck Centre, we believe we offer the widest range in mechanical aptitude and electrical aptitude available today. We are in the forefront, not only the mechanical space, but also in the EV space.” 

”Upon completion of the program, apprentices will have gained skills and experience to tackle any level of maintenance and repair, from routine servicing, bumper to bumper repairs, and inframe and out-of-frame engine rebuilds,” said Josh.

Eight First Year Apprentices started the program this year, and as Josh welcomed each of them to the stage, he gave our staff and guests an insight into what drew them to starting an apprenticeship in heavy diesel mechanics.

Welcome to our First Year Diesel Technician Apprentices –

• Jake Loller
• Nick Tiller
• Rex Catford
• Cooper Gilchrist
• Jordarna Wilks
• Allan Abregana
• Rex Rolland Lopez
• Henry Luansing
  
  

After welcoming our First Year Apprentices, we were extremely proud to congratulate our graduating apprentices who had successfully completed their Heavy Commercial Vehicle Diesel Technician Apprenticeship. 
Josh spoke about our three graduates individually and commended them on their commitment to the program, as well as presenting each of them with their graduation certificate and trophy as they were called to stage.

Congratulations to our Graduating Heavy Commercial Vehicle Diesel Technician Apprentices –

Mason Cook

Since being with CMV Truck Centre, Mason has evolved into a competent technician who is able to carry out all types of repairs including differential overhauls right through to Cummins engine rebuilds. Mason consistently demonstrates our values and with his ‘can do’ attitude has recently taken on a mentoring role with our new apprentices.

Bradley Flaherty

Throughout Brad’s journey, he has developed into a mature and confident technician who is never afraid of a challenge. Brad is a pivotal part of our after-hours breakdown team and is now expanding his knowledge by dual trading in our auto electrical team. Brad is also known for his continued success in winning our ‘Mullet of the year award’!

Bradley Peel

Brad commenced his apprenticeship outside of CMV Truck Centre where he quickly identified a desire for greater exposure to mechanical work and transferred to us during his 3rd year. This resulted in a more diverse knowledge base, with Brad quickly settling in and becoming a very valued technician. His ‘can do’ attitude and willingness to help is a credit to his character.

Through completing their apprenticeship these graduates are now fully capable of all repairs in our industry and we look forward to seeing their careers grow and flourish at CMV Truck Centre.

As our formalities concluded our guests and staff were encouraged to stay for another drink and enjoy a few more slices of pizza before they left for the night.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Annual Apprentice Night. This event is becoming bigger each and every year, and we are excited to see what this event looks like next year!

To view all the photos of the evening, please visit our Facebook page.
To find out more about our Apprenticeship Program and apply for our next intake, click here