Scania to upskill light-vehicle techs

Scania Australia is on the hunt for diesel technicians, and says it will fund the training to upskill light-vehicle mechanics looking to move into the heavy vehicle industry. 

According to Scania Australia’s Regional Executive Manager for NSW and Victoria, Sean Corby, the pathway has come in response to an emerging trend identified by the business. 

“Recently we have been approached by light-vehicle technicians looking to work for Scania, but they are not qualified or certified to work on hydraulic systems or heavy-duty air-pressure braking systems,” he says. 

“As a result, we have begun a programme to invest in these technicians’ futures by funding their skills gap training through TAFE.” 

“At present, we’re keen to attract technicians who may have light-vehicle experience but who want to work on heavy trucks and buses. It is a different environment, but it can be very rewarding, and skills acquisition can broaden career opportunities for technicians across many industries.” 

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And as Mr Corby knows personally, after progressing from mechanic to senior executive over two decades, the professional development avenues available within Scania are many and varied. 

“One of the benefits of an original equipment manufacturers’ owned sales and service network is that you can come in as a technician and progress along a career path,” he says. 

“This might take you as far as workshop manager or you might move into other areas of the business. How far you go and what skills you pick up are dependent only on your degree of motivation.” 

The motivation can potentially take employees around the world, given Scania’s global footprint, while technicians can also put their skills to the test in Scania’s Top Team technicians’ challenge.

Mr Corby says the bridging the skills gap between the light vehicle and heavy vehicle industries typically takes between 12 and 24 months. 

"It would be possible that a light-vehicle technician who has been working in a heavy-duty environment without formal qualification could pass through our system very quickly if they can demonstrate the competencies required by the certification programme,” he says. 

“We’re saying ‘come to Scania’. We want to talk to you, and we have processes in place to upskill you, and plenty of opportunities for you to carve out a more successful career path."

For more information email Scania at careers@scania.com.au.