Techs Shine at Isuzu Trucks National Technical Skills Competition 2024

Handling an increasing number of heavy vehicle registrations and an ever-growing freight task, Australia’s service technicians and diesel mechanics are in high demand. 

To ensure that technicians in the Isuzu Dealer Network have ample opportunity to hone their skills and engage them in supporting Australia’s trucking industry, Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL) holds its annual National Technical Skills Competition (NTSC) in the Isuzu Australia training facility at their head office in Melbourne, Victoria. 

This year’s competition, held on 27 November 2024, pitted the nation’s brightest Isuzu technicians against the clock and each other in a series of high-pressure diagnostic tests. 

Skills in the spotlight 

The written and practical tests are designed to measure a technician’s knowledge, problem-solving capabilities, and ability to adapt to whatever Isuzu product is brought onto the floor. 

IAL Head of Aftersales, Brett Stewart, congratulated all participants who entered the domestic NTSC competition, along with this year's top finalists, Jonathan (Jono) Elias from Black Truck & Ag in Queensland and Louis Holt from Bendigo Isuzu in Victoria. 

“Jono and Louis’ performance under pressure was phenomenal, so well done to them and to all who took on the challenge this year,” said Mr Stewart. 

“It's critical that Isuzu does its bit to provide incentives for technicians to develop their skills and encourage them towards becoming our master technicians of the future. ​ 

“Our goal is also to generate excitement around their critical role within Australia’s trucking sector and encourage new talent and apprentices.” 

Bright future 

On this note, Mr Stewart said that Isuzu was more than pleased to see a recent jump in apprentice applications at dealerships in the Isuzu Trucks network. 

“The National Technical Skills Competition is a key example of how Isuzu supports its talent, no matter where a service tech is in their career journey. 

“The apprentice round is a great showcase of what Isuzu Australia has to offer our young technicians while setting some clear and achievable goals that can inspire future generations.” 

In the apprentice round of the 2024 NTSC, Hamish Yeomans of Webster Trucks in Tasmania placed first, while Travis Chaffey of Double R Isuzu in New South Wales placed second. 

Long way to the top 

When you’re under the pump and under the watchful eyes of Isuzu’s judges, it takes nerves of steel to diagnose tricky engine faults. 

Jono Elias, the winner of this year’s NTSC, did not let anything hold him back. 

“I have been with Black Truck & Ag in Toowoomba since I began as an apprentice straight out of high school in 2013, but this is my first time visiting Melbourne and the Isuzu Trucks headquarters,” said Mr Elias. ​ 

“The practical and written exams were nerve-wracking, and I am pretty surprised I managed to pull it all off but happy about it as well! 

“Participating in competitions such as this is worth every bit of effort; even if you don't pass the entry test, you learn a lot and improve your skills.” ​ ​ 

Experienced technician Louis Holt from Bendigo Isuzu took second place. A seasoned competitor in previous years of the NTSC and the I-1 Grand Prix in Japan, Mr Holt was positive about taking on the competition again. ​ ​ 

“It was great to be back with everyone at this year's NTSC.

“Jono has done really well. It will be loads of fun working with him getting ready for Japan and the I-1 GP. ​ 

“I definitely want to see us have a podium finish next year, but whether it's first, second, or third, no matter where we finish, it's still a win!” 

Ready for the world stage 

While the NTSC keeps all of Isuzu's top techs on their toes—with benefits flowing to dealerships and their customers—the competition also serves another purpose. 

Each year, the top two NTSC finalists train to compete as Team Australia in the Isuzu World Technical Competition, also known as the I-G Grand Prix or I-1 GP. ​ 

This prestigious international competition, hosted by Isuzu Motors Limited (IML) Japan, sees Isuzu technicians worldwide compete against one another in a battle of the best. 

With the NTSC now done and dusted, Jono and Louis have a moment to catch their breath before training begins for Japan in 2025.