Isuzu Australia has recently held the finals of its 2025 national technical skills competition, crowning its winners for this year.
Held at the Isuzu Australia training facility in Melbourne, the annual competition tested the nation’s finest technicians and apprentices from the Isuzu dealer network with a series of written and practical diagnostic challenges.
Ballarat Isuzu’s Rajveer Singh claimed top spot for 2025, with Brad Hickey from Double R Isuzu in Tamworth, NSW finishing a close second.
“Raj and Brad displayed phenomenal composure and skill across a really tricky format this year,” Isuzu Australia head of aftersales Brett Stewart says.
“The addition of our new model trucks to the practical exam was a bit of a curve-ball for all of our competitors, as many have yet to have real-world experience working on these models back in their workshops.
“Raj and Brad’s performances are a testament to the high calibre of technicians we have across our network.
“This competition is a cornerstone of our commitment to developing the master technicians of tomorrow and generating excitement for the vital role they play.”
The format included a theory examination followed by practical stations where competitors diagnosed fault scenarios against the clock across engine management, electrical systems and chassis components on test Isuzu MY25 N Series models.
Winner Raj Singh says he’d been working on competing at the challenge for seven years, and described the intense challenge.
“The exams were nerve-wracking, and I was nervous, but getting this result after all that hard work is an incredible feeling,” he says.
“Engaging in competitions like this is worth every bit of effort – it pushes you to learn and improves your skills, which is exactly what our industry needs.”
Brad Hickey, a seasoned competitor and past I-1 Grand Prix representative, praised the event.
“It was fantastic to be back competing alongside the best,” he says.
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“I put a lot of pressure on myself this year. I’ve been here before and there’s always an expectation to perform.
“I think everyone was shocked to see the new models sitting there as our practical test. They have only just gone on sale, and we haven’t worked on one yet out at our dealership.
“This forced us to go back to basics, remember our processes and tackle each problem methodically.
“I’m relieved more than anything, but also super excited to get stuck in again for another crack at the podium in Japan next year.”
In the apprentice category, Mattiese Edwards, also hailing from Ballarat Isuzu, took out first place, with Wester Trucks’ William Khin securing second spot.
The competition serves as the selection ground for Team Australia, who battle it out against 36 other Isuzu nations from across the world.
The top two finalists will now embark on a dedicated training program to compete against the world’s best at the prestigious Isuzu Motors Limited (IML) World Technical Competition (I-1 Grand Prix) in Japan in 2026.
With the 2025 national contest concluded, the focus for Raj and Brad shifts to preparing for the international arena, carrying the hopes of the Australian Isuzu network.
Stewart says the competition also serves the purpose of directly addressing the sector’s pressing skills gap.
“With an ageing workforce and growing technological complexity, programs like the NTSC are vital,” he says.
“We’re not just testing skills; we’re actively incentivising the deep technical expertise our industry relies on and showcasing the incredible career opportunities available.
“Investing in our technicians is an investment in the very backbone of Australian road transport and of course, our many thousands of customers.”
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