Mr Quick will compete alongside one of the two national contest runners up – Peter Carter from Blacklocks Isuzu Ute in Lavington, New South Wales, and Greg Ward from Midland Isuzu Ute in Western Australia – at the so-called I-1 Grand Prix in Bangkok, which brings together the top technicians from around the globe.
Ballarat Isuzu’s skilful spannerman is no stranger to the I-1 Grand Prix – an event that denotes the manufacturer’s number-one people in service skills and technical knowledge – after representing Isuzu Australia Limited in the competition for heavy commercials in Japan late last year.
As GoAuto reported at the time, the IAL team finished third in its category (markets selling vehicles with emissions levels above the Euro 4 standard) behind first-placed Japan and the United States in second.
The LCV I-1 GP is now held every second year, and at its last staging, in 2016, the Isuzu Ute Australia team finished a commendable fourth overall. It also ranked first among distributors that do not have a domestic manufacturing operation.
Top class: Ballarat Isuzu’s Jake Quick (left) with Isuzu Ute Australia managing director Hiro Kuramoto.
This year’s IUA team was selected based on the results of the new national competition, which was established as an incentive for technicians across the network.
Previously, representatives for the global event were chosen through a combination of technical training attendance, theory questionnaire results and IUA management recommendations.
As other brands have found, the national program promotes professionalism and sharpens the skills of service department employees, bringing obvious benefits for dealers and customers alike.
It also better prepares the top-performing technicians for the high-pressure international competition.
The recent national final brought 10 technicians from five states to IUA’s head office in Brisbane.
As well as Messrs Quick, Carter and Ward, these included Kye Matheson (Nundah IU, Qld), Brad Pankhurst (Keema IU, Springwood, Qld), Dan Vagg (Clyde IU, Batemans Bay, NSW), Nathan White (Mudgee IU, NSW), Blake Conquest (Harrigan IU, Moss Vale, NSW), Jesse Borg (Harrison IU, Melton, Vic) and Michael Sargeant (OGR IU, Mt Gambier, SA).
The IUA national skills contest is open to all dealership trade-qualified technicians registered as working for the brand for at least six months prior to the event, with initial testing conducted online.
From left: IUA general manager (service) Andy Gibson, runner up Peter Carter, winner Jake Quick, IUA managing director Hiro Kuramoto, runner up Greg Ward and IUA deputy general manager (service) Jon Heironymus
The highest-scoring technician from each of IUA’s eight regions across Australia was selected to compete in the national final, along with two additional wildcard entries.
One written and four practical tests formed part of the judging process in the final, the practical elements including pre-delivery inspection, engine fault, starter motor overhaul, and engine cylinder block and bore measurement.
According to IUA, the national skills contest was introduced to raise the profile of the team selection process and to ensure participants gain experience in this style of competition.
Senior managers also told GoAuto that the skills contest “highlights the contestants who can handle the pressure of the contest environment; technicians who have excellent technical theory knowledge are not always the technicians who can handle the pressure of the contest environment”.
In announcing the national results, IUA managing director Hiro Kuramoto said: “At IUA, we pride ourselves on providing the best aftersales support to our customers while continuously working to improve our employees’ knowledge.
“One way we execute this is by continuing to upskill our servicing network – it is essential for the continued success of IUA that all aftersales staff continue to provide world-class service to our customers.”
By Terry Martin
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