Queensland’s Glenala State High School year 12 students will have the opportunity to undertake a heavy vehicle industry course in 2016
In what will be a first for south-east Queensland’s Glenala State High School, Year 12 students will soon have the opportunity to add a heavy vehicle stream to their Certificate 2 Automotive Vocational Preparation course.
Thanks to the efforts of Iveco Trucks Brisbane and Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA), students will be able to gain practical experience on a working truck, in this case a 2000 model Iveco Eurocargo.
It has been close to four years since Glenala first sought funding from both state and federal governments for the construction of its new Trade and Skills Centre (TSC). Changes of government at both state and federal level stalled the process, however the funding has now been granted.
The HVIA’s previous entity, the Commercial Vehicle Industry Association of Queensland (CVIAQ), has had a strong relationship with Glenala for many years and acted as a referee for its funding tender.
Former Iveco Trucks Brisbane’s service manager Derek Marriott initially identified the Eurocargo as a good fit for Glenala’s Trade and Skills Centre. The truck, previously used as a horse carrier, was a trade in and deemed surplus to requirements at the Brisbane dealership.
Iveco’s workshop manager Steve Saltzer says the Eurocargo’s previous owner looked after his gear and although 15 years old, the truck was in good condition.
“The only thing missing was the ignition barrel,” Saltzer says.
“All we ended up doing was putting new lights across it, guards on the back and getting it to a point where it’s close to roadworthy.”
The Eurocargo was officially handed over to Glenala State High School principal Anne Lawson and head of department senior schooling Sharina Gibney at Iveco Trucks Brisbane, Rocklea on December 4. Shortly afterwards the truck was towed to SkillsTech TAFE at Acacia Ridge where heavy vehicle apprentices have the task of shortening the chassis, adjusting the brakes, wiring and suspension before it reaches its final destination at Glenala.
David Lowe, dealer principal at Iveco Trucks Brisbane, says the school’s new certificate course coincides with the dealership’s updated apprentice program.
“We’d be very interested if there were any candidates to come out of the next intake,” Lowe says.
HVIA CEO Brett Wright, who was at the handover of the Eurocargo, made a special tribute to HVIA manager member services Paul Woodland.
“Paul has been involved with this from day one, and has been really coordinating the whole effort with Glenala and the state and federal government,” Wright says.
“I think it’s great that Glenala has a real world resource there for the students to learn what is a nationally recognised automotive certificate.
“And we’ve selected all the heavy vehicle units in that.”
Glenala State High School’s new Trade and Skills Centre at is expected to be completed before Term 2, 2016 in time for students will begin the new course.
Photography: Greg Bush