Haulotte is beefing up its apprenticeships program as its Compact scissor lift range rolls out across Australia
Haulotte is looking for additional apprentices to join its teams in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane this year, having recently implemented a formal training program across its bases nationwide.
The elevated work platform (EWP) and telehandler manufacturer now has one apprentice in each of its locations across Australia, each taking part in a structured training program.
The program starts with tasks like painting and applying decals, before moving onto predelivery inspections.
After a year, apprentices rotate to service where they learn the diagnostics and maintenance of the machines before, finally, working with experts to complete the 10-year refurbishments that completely refresh a machine.
The program is led by Brad Kennaugh, who says each apprentice is assigned a mentor to guide them through their rotations, in a bid to help them develop skills across all the company’s departments.
“It is a unique set of skills that go into servicing an EWP, and we face tough competition from other industries,” he says.
“The hire industry is a great place to work and provides great opportunities. That is why we want to get the message out there and help get as many apprentices trained up as possible.”
The program also features incentives as the apprentices move from first, to second and third year, including access to the Haulotte Academy – a globally awarded training platform full of intuitive programs designed to provide detailed expertise on EWP equipment, safety and operations.
Haulotte’s added investment in apprentices comes as the company’s Compact scissor lifts start arriving in Australia.
Company national sales manager Paul Sultana says Australian hire companies were impressed with the unit’s design and technology updates – including its battery management system – when they were first displayed at the Hire22 event last year.
“Customers… are loving the smooth AC drive, ease of maintenance and overall strength and robustness of the machine,” he says.
“Along with the Activ’Screen on board diagnostics, the ease of maintenance and accessibility to componentry has been well received by the customers, helping them with reducing their maintenance costs.”
Featuring five working heights, from 8 to 14 metres, and with load capacities from 250 to 450kg, Haulotte says the new machines add flexibility to hire fleets.