Isuzu’s National Technical Skills Competition (NTSC) was held last month and pitted the nation’s brightest Isuzu technicians against the clock and each other in a series of high-pressure diagnostic tests.
Written and practical tests designed to measure a technician’s knowledge, problem-solving capabilities, and ability to adapt to whatever Isuzu product is brought onto the floor took place at Isuzu Australia Limited’s head office in Melbourne.
This year’s top finalists were Jonathan (Jono) Elias from Black Truck & Ag in Queensland and Louis Holt from Bendigo Isuzu in Victoria.
“Jono and Louis’ performance under pressure was phenomenal, so well done to them and to all who took on the challenge this year,” said IAL Head of Aftersales, Brett Stewart.
“It’s critical that Isuzu does its bit to provide incentives for technicians to develop their skills and encourage them towards becoming our master technicians of the future.
“Our goal is also to generate excitement around their critical role within Australia’s trucking sector and encourage new talent and apprentices.”
Stewart said that Isuzu was more than pleased to see a recent jump in apprentice applications at dealerships in the Isuzu Trucks network.
“The National Technical Skills Competition is a key example of how Isuzu supports its talent, no matter where a service tech is in their career journey,” he said.
“The apprentice round is a great showcase of what Isuzu Australia has to offer our young technicians while setting some clear and achievable goals that can inspire future generations.”
In the apprentice round of the 2024 NTSC, Hamish Yeomans of Webster Trucks in Tasmania placed first, while Travis Chaffey of Double R Isuzu in New South Wales placed second.
Jono Elias, the winner of this year’s NTSC, did not let anything hold him back.
“I have been with Black Truck & Ag in Toowoomba since I began as an apprentice straight out of high school in 2013, but this is my first time visiting Melbourne and the Isuzu Trucks headquarters,” said Elias.
“The practical and written exams were nerve-wracking, and I am pretty surprised I managed to pull it all off but happy about it as well.
“Participating in competitions such as this is worth every bit of effort; even if you don’t pass the entry test, you learn a lot and improve your skills.”
Experienced technician Louis Holt from Bendigo Isuzu took second place.
A seasoned competitor in previous years of the NTSC and the I-1 Grand Prix in Japan, Holt was positive about taking on the competition again.
“It was great to be back with everyone at this year’s NTSC,” he said.
“Jono has done really well. It will be loads of fun working with him getting ready for Japan and the I-1 GP.
“I definitely want to see us have a podium finish next year, but whether it’s first, second, or third, no matter where we finish, it’s still a win.”
While the NTSC keeps all of Isuzu’s top techs on their toes—with benefits flowing to dealerships and their customers—the competition also serves another purpose.
Each year, the top two NTSC finalists train to compete as Team Australia in the Isuzu World Technical Competition, also known as the I-G Grand Prix or I-1 GP.
This prestigious international competition, hosted by Isuzu Motors Limited (IML) Japan, sees Isuzu technicians worldwide compete against one another in a battle of the best.
With the NTSC now done and dusted, Jono and Louis have a moment to catch their breath before training begins for Japan in 2025.
