Isuzu National Technical Skills Comp returns

Isuzu Australia National Service Technical Manager, Brenton Cook, welcomed back the National Skills competition, and later the Isuzu World Technical Competition, commonly referred to as the I-1 Grand Prix (I-1 GP), which celebrates technical talent and sees teams of Isuzu technicians testing their skills on the global stage.

“Whilst the I-1 GP tournament was held virtually in 2020, IAL made the tough decision not to participate so we could focus on supporting our customers and the dealer network through a very challenging year,” Mr Cook said.

“It is still tough out there, but we have decided the show must go on and we must adapt to this new environment.

“The I-1 GP is a truly unique event that recognises the talent of our technicians and gives them something to strive for, showing them that their skills in the workshop are highly valued,” he continued.

“In particular, we want our younger generation to see that being a technician can be both exciting and rewarding, with opportunities for career advancement.

“It’s also fantastic to bring the global Isuzu family together again, which has been nothing if not a challenge over the past 18 months.”

The I-1 GP calendar of events in Australia kicks off with IAL’s National Technical Skills Competition qualifier, held from September 24 to September 28.

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This qualifying round challenges technicians nominated by Isuzu dealerships and Authorised Service and Parts Outlets across the country with a series of tough technical knowledge and virtual failure diagnostic exercises. This is where the top 10 technicians in the National Competition receive generous prizes.

The two technicians with the best total combined results from the qualifier will then go forward to represent Australia internationally amongst 42 teams from other countries including Japan, England, Thailand and the USA, at the main I-1 GP event held on November 25.

Former I-1 GP competitor Jake Quick competed for Australia in the 2017 I-1 GP and is now encouraging other Isuzu technicians to jump on the opportunity to represent their dealership and country.

Jake clinched third place in the international competition, alongside teammate Drew Murden from Peel Valley Isuzu and coach, Brenton Cook, who was then IAL’s Queensland Service Technical Manager.

Since participating in the I-1 GP, Jake’s career has moved onwards and upwards, and he is now enjoying a role as Workshop Supervisor for Ballarat Isuzu.