July - August, 2011

Message from the Managing Director

Welcome back to our latest edition of our newsletter. We are pleased to introduce Paul Darwin who comes with extensive technical experience gained globally. Paul is a welcome addition to our field training team. For those of you who get to train with Paul, I am sure you will be very happy with his service that he provides.

You will note that our new facility is progressing exceptionally well and it is with great confidence that we will end the project with a 'state of the art training' facility which will facilitate the training of 1000s of future automotive graduates. This is something that all of us from the MTAQ and MIT are very proud of and is an excellent example of the highest commitment from industry who have contributed 100% of the 10 million dollars required to fund it.

I encourage you all to get behind the support for the 'Race for Jase' initiative which will see all the funds raised go directly to his family whilst he is recovering from treatment.

It is with much enthusiasm that we can now confirm that MIT is now registered to deliver Heavy Vehicle Tyre Fitting, Heavy Vehicle Road Transport (Mechanics), Certificate IV in Frontline Management and apprenticeship training for the Vehicle Body Repair Sector.

Finally congratulations to Jade Kleidon of West Star Motors (Toowoomba) who was named MIT’s first Student of the Month in 2011. Keep at the great work Jade....

Thanks again for all the support and we look forward to providing updates in the next edition.

Introducing Paul Darwin

Paul has worked at MTA Institute of Technology (MIT) for the past 18 months. Paul initially delivered training to MIT’s international students as well as delivering the training for specialised units of competency to our apprentices. Recently Paul has taken on the additional role of Field Trainer and services Brisbane Metro Area.

Paul is originally from England and only migrated to Australia 5 years ago. Prior to his arrival in Australia, Paul enlisted in the British Army where he spent the next 6 years working on everything from Light Vehicles to Army Tanks. After retiring from the British Army, Paul went on to work on an array of machinery including diesel electric cranes & forklifts to name a few.

Paul’s first job in Australia prior to working with MIT was carrying out Fleet Maintenance. We are pleased to report that Paul now calls Australia home. In fact he hasn’t even made it back to England for a holiday as yet!

Update on the New Building

MTA Queensland’s new premises at Eight Mile Plains has come a long way since the project started earlier in the year. The State of the Art facility will house both the Association’s head office and the MIT staff and students.

2011 Workshop Apprentice Showdown!

If you’re a Senior Apprentice studying Automotive Technology and a member of MTAA Super, this could be the most rewarding competition you ever enter!

One winner will be selected for each of Ford Performance Racing and the Holden Racing Team, with the chance to attend team headquarters in Melbourne and be part of the L&H 500 Phillip Island race weekend!

This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity takes place from 12 – 18 September 2011.

To enter, visit mtaasuper.com.au and tell us in 25 words of less why you would like to win this experience.

Entries close 5 August 2011.

Good luck!

Diploma of Management Course

MTA Institute of Technology is pleased to announce a special offer to Business Owners and Directors wanting to enrol in the Diploma of Management Course.

There are currently Government incentives available for eligible Employees however there are no incentives available for Employers.

As the Diploma of Management Course covers every aspect of running a business from managing budgets & financial plans to ensuring team effectiveness the course provides invaluable knowledge to Business Owners so it is only right that Business Owners and Directors have the opportunity to attend this course along with their employees with no out of pocket expense.

MTA Institute of Technology is offering this course free of charge to business owners by incorporating their contributions with the government rebate scheme when a minimum of two eligible employees are enrolled in the course.

The Australian Government is providing $4000 to the employer/business for each eligible employee to do the Diploma of Management Course. The course cost is $3500. The course fees are not related to the Australian Government incentives available to eligible individuals.

The course is delivered over a 20 week period consisting of one evening each week at our centrally located Cannon Hill premises, supported by assignments to reinforce theoretical knowledge. Skills will be taught and practiced in your workplace where learning will be placed into the context of your business.

The Diploma of Management is also available via distance learning.

Should you wish to enrol in the Diploma of Management course please contact one of our friendly team: training@mtaq.com.au or phone: 1800 884 137

Heavy Vehicle Tyre Fitting

MTA Institute of Technology is now approved to deliver the Heavy Vehicle Tyre Fitting Qualification. Responding to Industry demand we are the first Registered Training Organisation to provide training in this qualification.

The Heavy Vehicle Tyre Fitting Traineeship will cover tyre fitting for fleet involved in the construction, mining, commercial and heavy vehicle sectors of the industry.

Duties will include inspection of tyres to determine preferred repair action, repairing tyres and tubes, selecting tyres and rims for particular heavy vehicles and balancing of tyres and wheels.

Training will be delivered in your work place. The training is one on one concentrating on the students needs and reducing down time significantly.

For new employees the Queensland Government meets the cost of training in most cases. This means that neither you, nor the students pay for the training component of the traineeship.

However there is Government requirement for all participants to pay a minimal contribution fee determined by the Government.

Should you wish to enrol in the Heavy Vehicle Tyre Fitting Traineeship please contact the Training Department: training@mtaq.com.au or phone: 1800 884 137

A ‘win-win’ solution

There are a variety of reasons why an apprentice employee will quit their job and drop out of the training program and become disconnected with the automotive industry.

When MIT receives a cancellation form, the student is contacted for feedback and is engaged in a discussion about their decision to withdraw.

During these discussions, MIT will ensure that the student is listened to, empathised with and made to feel that there is someone who really cares about their future.

If it is determined that the student would like to continue to gain a qualification and reasons for withdrawing from workplace includes; conflicts, lack of employer support, motivational issues or uncertainty of career choice, MIT can offer the student a fresh start to re-engage with the program.

Indeed, MIT will then organise the paperwork and applications for approval for the funding for the student to resume their training with a MIT college trainer whilst seeking employment.

MIT continues to support the student by presenting them to MTA Queensland members or other businesses that contact the Association when they are looking to hire new employees.

This approach to re-engaging the student with the industry can prove to be the most significant turning point in a person’s career path.

A thirst for knowledge

Jade Kleidon of West Star Motors (Toowoomba) was named MIT’s first student of the month in 2011. Kleidon, currently trained by MIT technical trainer Zak Zuiderduin, is in his 4th year apprenticeship but has been working on cars much longer than that.

“I have a long history when it comes to cars,” said Kleidon.

“My interest in becoming a mechanic began when I was a little boy. I helped my father to restore old cars when I was growing up. I helped to build my first car - a red HQ Holden Kingswood.

“l literally grew up with a spanner in my hand,” he said.

Added to that spanner is a Force Tools 36-piece flank socket set that Kleidon was awarded by MIT for his student of the month recognition.

In addition to his apprenticeship, Kleidon has completed several training programs, including Holden diagnostic training, Holden Cruze training, Hyundai GDS training and Hyundai diagnostics. He has also nearly completed is Air Conditioning qualification.

“The role of a technician involves ongoing development,” said Kleidon.

“As technology changes, so must our knowledge. The fluid nature of the motor industry ensures that my job remains interesting and challenging. There are constant changes and updates in both the hardware and software of my trade,” he added.

MIT technical trainer Zak Zuiderduin said that it has always been a pleasure to train Jade as he constantly gives 100 percent.

“Since I took over Jade’s training in October 2009, he has proven to be methodical in his technical studies, which have always been completed to an extremely high standard.” Said Zuiderduin.

“Jade originally was an apprentice at a Holden dealership, at which time he performed all tasks involved with the diagnostics and repair of all types of vehicles' to tradesmen's standards. He also completed many online Holden training courses, which has added to his professional development.”

In August 2010, an opening within the company presented itself at the Hyundai/Mercedes section, which was offered to Jade and he gladly accepted.

“He immediately became a valued member of the Hyundai section, in which he put his training and learning to good use. He adapted to his new environment extremely well, so well that he was invited to join the Mercedes section, which is very rare for an apprentice,” Zuiderduin concluded.

Race for Jace

The Australian karting community will join together in July to show its support for V8 Supercar driver Jason Richards while he battles a rare form of cancer.

A three hour endurance race will be held at the Ipswich Kart Club in Queensland on Saturday the 16th of July, with many of the country’s top karters set to take the challenge to some of the stars in the V8 Supercar Championship.