Deaf mechanic gets it done at Fuso Geelong

An inability to hear is no barrier for apprentice diesel mechanic when it comes to fixing a truck...

Nineteen-year-old Chris Linahan says he loves his role as a diesel mechanic at Fuso Geelong, where he is currently working through the second year of his apprenticeship.

In fact, Chris's success at the Victorian dealership recently took him out of the workshop and into the spotlight, at the National Employment Services Association's (NESA) National Employment Awards for Excellence. It was there Chris took to the stage after Fuso Geelong and employment provider MatchWorks won the inaugural Innovation in Disability – Team Award.

Chris uses the Australian sign language Auslan to communicate; two of his workmates have begun learning Auslan to communicate with Chris, and they'll soon be joined by Fuso Geelong dealer principal, Richard Furnari (pictured with Linahan).

Chris also uses a special iPad app developed by Fuso Geelong to allow him to communicate with customers and inform of the condition of their truck.

Linahan, who also enjoys riding his trail bike and 4WDing in his Ford Maverick, says he feels very much at home in his role at Fuso Geelong.

"I just like working with mechanical things," he says.

"I very much enjoy working at Fuso Geelong. There is plenty of work to do; it is certainly busier than where I have worked in the past.

"The team I work with is really great."

Furnari says he's a valuable member of the team, describing Chris as a "long-term prospect".

The Chief Executive Officer of NESA, Sally Sinclair, says Fuso Geelong and MatchWorks are worthy winners of the inaugural Innovation in Disability – Team Award.

"This award is a great tribute to Fuso Geelong and MatchWorks, and shows how employers can totally change people's lives and improve opportunities for people with a disability when they invest the time to create truly inclusive workplaces," she says.

Deaf mechanic gets it done at Fuso Geelong

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