TransDiesel has expanded its apprenticeship intake by 60%, after a surge in applications.

The New Zealand owned and operated heavy equipment business said it had more than 280 people apply for its popular apprenticeship programme. After reviewing the calibre of applicants, the team offered eight young people the opportunity to join TransDiesel.

“As a Kiwi owned and operated business, TransDiesel is making significant investment in the future prosperity of the industry and people associated with it,” said Joe Gradwell, general manager, aftersales operations.

“It is a difficult industry to break into, so we wanted to acknowledge the demand for places and open up the numbers of positions available,” he said.

“The talent of those applying was so high that we decided to almost double the intake, which also demonstrates TransDiesel’s own dedication to nurture local talent.”

First established in 2020, the programme will see the annual intake work throughout the business over three to four years, undertaking a variety of tasks and theory-based learning.

At the end of the structured training programme, which is aligned to a national qualification (in partnership with MITO), successful apprentices will receive a Trade Certificate recognising them as a Heavy Equipment Qualified Technician.

Applications for the 2021 intake were received from all around the country, with the latest round of eight successful candidates meeting in Christchurch for regular TransDiesel training.

Joe Gradwell

The apprentices then return to their respective home base, where they are employed at the local TransDiesel branch and receive further on-the-job training.