Patrick celebrates top drivers

Patrick Autocare recently celebrated its depth of driving talent with its inaugural National Skills Contest at DECA in Melbourne

Automotive logistics specialist Patrick Autocare recently recognised its best drivers in its inaugural National Skills Contest, which was hosted by Driver Education Centre of Australia (DECA) in Melbourne with the support and backing of PACCAR Australia.

The contest was devised to encourage the development of skills, encourage the sharing of experiences and ideas, build respect for technical skill and to engage the company's employees and recognise its high performers.

After a rigorous pre-selection process determined the top Patrick Autocare driver from five different states, the five finalists descended on DECA's Altona North campus to showcase their talents before judges and a number of Patrick Autocare clients, the latter including representatives from Toyota, Nissan, Honda and Holden.

Competitors completed a 30-question theory test looking at Workplace Health and Safety issues, economical driving techniques and more, before tackling a range of practical exercises spanning reversing, vehicle checks, and car loading and securing protocols.

At the end of the day it was Jose Rodrigues of NSW who claimed top honours, narrowly defeating Robert McKenzie (SA), Catherine Stewart-Nichols (Vic), Ron Minney (WA) and Geoff Landers (Qld).

According to Goran Koviloski, Patrick Autocare's National Fleet Manager and Driver Trainer, the day highlighted the care with which Patrick approaches its automotive logistics duties and represented a unique collaboration between it – the service provider – its clients (the car companies) and one of its major truck suppliers (Kenworth).

"This was the first time [it had been held] but we are already very, very keen to do this yearly," he said.

"The contestants were really excited to be competing and to meet their colleagues from interstate. One guy told us he'd been driving for 26 years and he was really keen to show off what he could do – and he's actually the guy who won it!

"It was all about highlighting to our clients that we don’t just throw cars on a trailer and deliver them – we do all the above and we try to ensure our drivers do all the right things. It showcased a quality service."

Mr Koviloski says Patrick Autocare was incredibly grateful for the assistance offered by PACCAR Australia in supporting the event.

"Kenworth sponsored the whole thing for us; they were outstanding," he said.

"We of course did this day for our employees and for our clients, but the combination of us having links there with DECA and Kenworth was great. I mean here is one of our truck suppliers, here is a client, here is a driver trainer, here is an employee, here is a senior manager from Patrick – you can see the whole combination and it's just a nice thing to be able to get everyone together to show this great link."

Photos courtesy of Patrick Autocare. Pictured (left to right, inside marquee): Ron Minney (WA); Catherine Stewart-Nichols (Vic); Jose Rodrigues (NSW); Goran Koviloski (Patrick Autocare National Fleet Manager); Geoff Landers (Qld); Rob McKenzie (SA); Andrew Hadjikakou (PACCAR Australia Director, Sales and Marketing); Alex Milan (Patrick Autocare General Manager).

Patrick celebrates top drivers

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