NEWS EDUCATION/CAREER 31 Aug 2011

KOMATSU BOOSTS APPRENTICE INTAKE TO 100 FOR 2012

Komatsu Australia is further expanding its award winning Apprentice Development System (ADS) with a planned intake of 100 new apprentices nationally in 2012.

31082011KomatsuBoostsApprenticeIntakeTo100-(1).jpgIn 2011, Komatsu engaged 40 new apprentices across Queensland, NSW and Western Australia.

The 2012 intake will expand the numbers and the system to include Victoria and South Australia, said Paul Richardson, Komatsu's national organisational development manager.

"This will bring total apprentice numbers to around 250 nationally, with a target to further increase apprentice numbers to 400 nationally over three years," he said.

The recruitment process will start in July and August with advertisements in regional and metropolitan newspapers, the internet and trade magazines.

"Komatsu views apprentices as a strategic sustainability resource to our business and this is behind the effort that has been applied to the design and implementation of our ADS starting in 2009, and the expansion of our apprentice intakes in 2011, 2012 and beyond," said Paul.

Komatsu's ADS seeks to develop the whole person by training which is targeted not only at technical skills, but also life and business skills.

A feature of the system is the development of alliances with TAFE, which delivers the formal off-the-job education components to Certificate III level.

Paul said that Sean Taylor, Komatsu Australia's Managing Director, had taken a strategic approach to apprentice development.

"This is driven in the workplace through our business functions, headed by Chris Cassettari, Director Regions, Ian MacCowan, General Manager Customer Support, and Steve Schofield, General Manager Human Resources."

As part of this, Komatsu Australia has recently appointed Gavin Manning, as National Apprentice Development System Manager.

"Gavin works closely with our regional apprentice co-ordination teams to ensure that the managers in the regions have the skills development back up needed when implementing the learning and experience plans that the apprentices follow as part of the overall ADS," said Paul.

"This approach ensures a focus on continuous improvement, standardisation and consistent quality learning outcomes," said Gavin.

"Our ADS is producing higher level skills development plus engaged, confident and motivated people who want to achieve," he said.


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