The Motor Trade Association (MTA) SA/NT has acquired a new Scania R560 truck through a partnership with Scania Australia to support the organisation’s heavy vehicle training.
The new truck features the latest emission controls, engine controls, and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), which will provide MTA’s upcoming heavy commercial vehicle technicians with up-to-date equipment to learn on.
MTA Skills Manager Heavy Vehicle/Regional, Scott Hahesy, said this will enable MTA’s apprentices to get hands-on, relevant experience in maintaining and repairing a working truck with the latest technology.
“We are very grateful to acquire this Scania truck, which has a variety of new systems that our older training trucks don’t have,” he said.
With a continued demand for truck technicians, MTA is continuing to play a key role in upskilling the next generation of workers.
Once qualified with a Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology AUR31120) or Certificate III Automotive Electrical Technology (AUR30320), there are multiple career paths to follow within Scania, both in Australia and within the global network.
Scania State Manager for SA/NT, Greg Quick, said Scania is very committed to the training and development of apprentices.
“We’re very committed to training, developing and retaining our young staff – they are the future of our business,” he said.
“I started my career as a heavy vehicle mechanic, so I understand the importance of training apprentices.”
MTA Skills Manager of Light Vehicle, Electric Vehicle and Paint and Panel, Lachlan Fotheringham, said the MTA was eager to see apprentices undertake practical training on equipment they can expect to work on when they enter the industry.
“With the addition of this new and exciting truck, the MTA will continue to develop apprentices and increase the number of skilled and qualified technicians,” he said.
In other news, a pair of new heavy rescue vehicles worth almost $1 million each have entered operations in Western Sydney.