TAFE Queensland apprentices best in class

TAFE Queensland heavy automotive apprentices have proved to be the best in class at the 2023 National Apprentice Challenge at the Brisbane Truck Show – the largest show of its kind in the country – in May, with first and second place taken out by apprentices from Queensland's largest training provider.

With doors open from 18-21 May at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Brisbane Truck Show reportedly welcomed more than 40,000 visitors, a new record. The National Apprentice Challenge was held across the first two days of the event and attracted competitors from around the country.

Eventual winners Lachlan Tate (Brown and Hurley) and Brayden Conaghan (Penske Australia) were the first team in the history of the competition to solve all nine faults laid out by the judges as well as the tenth ‘mystery’ fault. Both Lachlan and Brayden complete their apprentice training at TAFE Queensland Acacia Ridge – the largest trade training facility in the Southern Hemisphere.

Lachlan Tate said the real value of TAFE Queensland’s training has been the ability of the teachers to show a different way to carry out work in the industry, “there’s always different ways to do things and that’s what we learn at TAFE is how to do things differently to what we might get taught in the workshop,” Mr Tate said.

“The teachers are all very knowledgeable and you always learn something new at a training block. Some teachers who’ve been great across my training are Steve Hudspith and Steve Thorley,” he said.

Steve Hudspith is a Senior Workplace Assessor who travels to heavy automotive businesses to train and assess TAFE Queensland apprentices in their workplaces, he says Lachlan has always been a standout apprentice.

“Lachlan was a natural from the get go, still at school doing jobs most mechanics couldn’t handle. What makes him stand out is his natural talent, in 14 years I’ve never seen an apprentice take to the trade so quickly and understand so well,” Mr Hudspith said.

“He’s modest to boot, he’s much more interested in listening and learning than telling you how great he is or being full of himself. He is always interested in learning all the different approaches to work and broadening his skills,” he said.

Steve Thorley has taught Lachlan at different stages across his apprenticeship and was one of the key reasons for his participation in the Apprentice Challenge.

“Over time I have taught Lachlan and he far exceeds the knowledge and capabilities required from an apprentice at his level,” Mr Thorley said.

“Prior to nominating Lachlan I had a conversation with his employer Ryan Hurley and he could not praise Lachlan enough and was very supportive of him having a go. Lachlan is a very humble and quiet person, so if nothing else we knew this would be good for him and his personal growth,” he said.

Mr Thorley has also taught Brayden Conaghan and said his maturity was a standout virtue throughout his apprenticeship.

“I have had the privilege to train Brayden while coming through the TAFE system. He has shown nothing other than maturity and respect while here and an eager-to-learn mentality while in classes,” Mr Thorley said.

“He also showed an attention to detail with every practical task he was given while happily assisting other students that needed help,” he said.

Second place in the National Apprentice Challenge went to another Queensland team, Kyle Guy and Ryan Robinson from Followmont Transport, who also complete their training at TAFE Queensland’s Acacia Ridge campus.

Business Manager of Heavy automotive training at the Acacia Ridge campus, David Jenkinson, said it was no surprise that apprentices from the largest trade training facility in the Southern Hemisphere were rising to the top at competitions.

“The facilities here at Acacia Ridge are obviously fantastic, we are really proud of the equipment and the spaces we have here which allow us to train apprentices properly in every area of their trade.”

“TAFE Queensland really believes in quality training and in providing the best facilities but also the best teachers to students. The fact that Lachlan can call out particular teachers as having an impact on his training is not surprising at all to me, all of our teachers are highly experienced and care greatly about their students, they often go the extra mile to help their students succeed.”

It is these factors which have led to TAFE Queensland being the market leaders in heavy automotive training across the state. In one of the most common heavy automotive apprenticeship courses, the Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology (AUR30211), TAFE Queensland accounts for more than half of the market – 54% according to the most recent National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) data.