Isuzu techs win HVIA National Apprentice Challenge

A pair of talented young Isuzu apprentices were in peak form at the HVIA National Apprentice Challenge, which was held in conjunction with the recent 2021 Brisbane Truck Show.

Staged just a short walk from the Brisbane Truck Show in the South Bank Piazza, the event saw three teams of two apprentices showcase their skills, the teams based on the geographic location of their home dealerships.

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The event attracts some of the best and brightest mechanical apprentices from around the country, who competed on stage and before a crowd of spectators to identify and rectify a series of pre-programmed truck faults. The apprentices worked on two Isuzu GXD 165-350 prime movers, on loan from Isuzu.

The three teams – Southern, Eastern, and Western – battled it out over four days of competition, with the lead changing several times.

However, when the final scores were tallied it was the Southern team’s Samual Allan (Ballarat Isuzu, Vic) and Luke Kneebone (Webster Trucks, Tas) out in front, edging out the Western team’s Bekitemba Gwebu (Major Motors, Perth, WA) and Beau Smith (CMV Truck Centre, Cavan, SA) and the Eastern team’s Shaneet Singh (Stillwell Trucks, Sydney, NSW) and Jack Dennis (Penske Australia, Brisbane , Qld).

Finalists received tool prize packages courtesy of Warby Tools, while the winning team took away hosted trips to the 2021 Supercars Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500.

Isuzu Australia Limited’s National Service Manager, Brett Stewart, said he was thrilled with the success of the competition and the the Southern team’s victory.

“This event has gone from strength to strength in recent years,” he said.

“It’s a fantastic way to inject passion and comradery into the broader technical skills sector, and we were delighted to support the challenge with two Isuzu trucks to work on.

“We could not be prouder of both Sam and Luke. As young apprentices, they’ve put their hands up to ‘have a go’, come out of their comfort zones, and by all reports, they’re extremely glad they did.

“I can only continue to encourage any young apprentices in the truck world to take up these sorts of industry opportunities and see where it takes you.”

Southern
Luke Kneebone, Webster Trucks, Hobart: 84.4% (119)
Samual Allan, Ballarat Isuzu, Ballarat: 85.11% (120)

Eastern
Shaneet Singh, Stillwell Trucks, Sydney: 79% (112)
Jack Dennis, Penske Australia, Brisbane: 87.23% (123)

Western
Beau Smith, CMV Truck Centre, Adelaide: 80.85% (114)
Bekitemba Gwebu, Major Motors, Perth: 73.63% (104)