Isuzu Techs to take on the world

Isuzu's National Technical Skills Competition (NTSC) has wrapped up for 2021, with 47 of Australia’s finest automotive technicians battling it out for the chance to represent their Isuzu dealership and indeed their country on the world stage at Isuzu Motor's I-1 Grand Prix (known otherwise as the I-1 GP).

The Top two technicians from the NTSC now form Australia’s I-1 GP team, and they are looking ahead to the challenge of an international I-1 Grand Prix e-Competition—which has been refreshed in a new virtual format due to COVID-19.

The top two technicians to for the Australian team are Harrison Minnis and Jason Peterkin.

The I-1 GP finals have traditionally been held at Isuzu Motors head office in Japan, with each country’s qualifying team flying in with a coach to compete in both Individual and team finals.

This year, the competition remains the same, with individual and team events taking place. However, this year sees each technician competing virtually on home soil, including Australia’s team, which is set to undertake the tough e-Competition in Brisbane this week.

It all starts with the NTSC, which this year challenged technicians with a series of Interactive Virtual Online Diagnostic (IVOD) tests. Results from the IVOD tests were tallied up against a 60-minute written exam and each tech’s personal scores from their Isuzu Technicians Guild Questionnaires held earlier in 2021.

In Australia, the Top Two technicians were picked from an exceptionally competitive field, with only a seven per cent difference in combined scores separating first and tenth place. Let’s meet the winners:

Harrison Minnis (commonly known around the workshop as Harry) was this year’s Australian NTSC winner, scoring a handy 100 per cent during the second virtual failure diagnosis test.

Harry started his apprenticeship with Brisbane Isuzu Eagle Farm in 2016, fresh from high school. His determination to see a job from start to finish and to rectify difficult repairs are his key strengths, but he acknowledges there’s more work to do before facing the notoriously difficult I-1 GP competition.

“The knowledge tests for the NTSC were extremely difficult, but we’ve been ramping up our training with weekly exams, so we know what to look out for in this next round,” commented Harry.

“There’s always more to learn and I’m always keen to get my foot through any door, which is what this competition is all about.”

Jason began his apprenticeship in 1995, working for his father in Darwin, and going on to complete a dual trade qualification specialising in diagnostics for both electrical and mechanical faults. He joined Tony Ireland Isuzu in 2012 as the Leading Hand (2IC) at the Townsville workshop.

A combination of smarts and on-the-job experience means Jason is recognised as one of Australia’s best technicians when it comes to Isuzu’s famous 4JJ1 engine series.

This isn’t his first time around the I-1 GP circuit—he’s competed several times in the NTSC and took home an honourable team fourth place in the 2018 I-1 GP in Japan.

Jason scored the highest mark in this year’s NTSC Technical Knowledge exam, earning him a well-deserved spot on the 2021 Australian team.

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Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL)?National?Service Technical?Manager, Brenton Cook, congratulated all entrants and the Top Two technicians for their achievements so far.

“As always, it’s fantastic to see the level of talent that comes out of events like this and the broader I-1 GP event program. We couldn’t be prouder of the results achieved this year and the technician’s commitment to being the best they can be.

“A hearty congratulations to all participating technicians, but to our Top 2 technicians Harry and Jason, well done and good luck in the final round!”