Welcome to our Apprenticeship Program
28/08/2007
THE COMPANY
Hastings Deering has always been a strong
supporter of apprenticeships and is one of the largest employers of apprentices
in Queensland and the Northern Territory. We currently employ over 200
apprentices, predominantly in the Diesel Fitter trade and plan to engage
100 new apprentices in 2009 taking our apprentice numbers well over the
300 mark.
Hastings Deering recognises its obligation
to provide a safe workplace. The management of occupational health and
safety is an integral part of management responsibilities for safety, health,
quality and environmental control. Your responsibilities as an employee
of Hastings Deering include working in a safe manner according to established
safe working practices and rules.
RECOGNITION
Hastings Deering has a Top Apprentice of
the Year Award for final stage apprentices. This award promotes and recognizes
the skill developed by our apprentices during their trade training.
Our top branch apprentices travel to Hastings
Deering in Brisbane to participate in a number of competitive activities
these include a Problem Solving and Diagnostic Skill course, written tests,
work skills test and interviews.
The Hastings Deering Top Apprentice represents
the company at the Caterpillar Top Dealer Apprentice Awards at Caterpillar
Melbourne. The winner Top Dealer Apprentice Award wins a trip to the Caterpillar
headquarters in the United States.
TRAINING
Our apprenticeship program is run by the
Hastings Deering Institute of Training and is a competency based training
program that meets the MEM30205 Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical
Trade. The theory training is delivered by the company and TAFE. Hastings
Deering supplements the theory training with in-house multimedia and instructor
led basic engine, hydraulic, electric and transmission courses. This four
stage competency based training programme (normally over four years) is
not time related and allows apprentices to complete their apprenticeship
when they have achieved the required skills, knowledge and experience.
During your apprenticeship you will be trained
to the license standard to operate the Lift Truck and Overhead Crane. You
will also be given familiarisation training on how to move Caterpillar
equipment safely around the workshop.
APPRENTICESHIP
Apprentices with Hastings Deering are involved
in the repair, servicing and maintenance of the comprehensive range of
construction and earth moving equipment, engines and power systems manufactured
by Caterpillar, the industry world leaders. During your apprenticeship
you will be rotated through the various departments including but not limited
to the Engine, Drive Trains, Equipment Assembly, Welding Shop and Fuel
Pump Test Cell, gaining skills and knowledge in the repair of Caterpillar
equipment and components.
The probationary period for an apprenticeship
with Hastings Deering is 3 months and during this period the apprentice
and Hastings Deering can assess their compatibility and the apprentices'
suitability for the apprenticeship.
Hastings Deering has an exceptional Apprentice
Tool Support program. Apprentices who successfully complete their apprenticeship
are able to purchase a Caterpillar tool kit which is generously subsidised
by the company.
EARNING AND TRAVEL POTENTIAL
Trade careers are sometimes perceived to
be dirty, hard and poorly paid. The reality is that an apprenticeship with
Hastings Deering offers a highly paid career working on Caterpillar, the
world's leading construction and earth moving equipment, engine and power
systems manufacturer. We offer excellent employment prospects and these
are on a par with those enjoyed by university graduates. Hastings Deering
pays well above the Award rate with the amount paid being a percentage
of the Tradespersons base rate which increases as our apprentice's progress
through the four stages of their apprenticeship training.
Tradespeople currently employed with Hastings
Deering can earn in excess of $100, 000 per annum and have the opportunity
to work at our various branches in Queensland, the Northern Territory and
New Guinea to gain further experience on different Caterpillar products
whilst maintaining their employment continuity.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
Hastings Deering generally advertise their
apprenticeships in the September/October period each year on this website,
in local newspapers and on the radio.
Ensure your resume is up-to-date along with
your academic records. Upon applications closing the selection process
is carried out by both Hastings Deering and external providers and includes
numeracy, literacy and mechanical aptitude tests. Once the tests are completed
and marked, short listed candidates are invited to complete and on-line
Work Safety Assessment. Following further short-listing candidates will
be invited to attend an interview. Unsuccessful candidates are notified
in writing.
Upon the completion of interviews selected
candidates are invited to attend a pre-employment medical assessment. After
confirmation of passing the medical assessment, successful candidates are
formally offered a letter of employment advising their commencement date.
The signed letter of employment is returned
to the employing branch and arrangements are made for Hastings Deering
to supply industrial clothing and work boots to the Apprentice prior to
starting.
WELCOME ON-BOARD
During the first week of employment you will
attend a 5 day Induction Programme. On 'Day 1' we complete the necessary
paperwork signing the training contract between Hastings Deering, the apprentice
and the training provider. During the following 4 days you will take part
in an education process that will include the importance we place on safety,
health, quality and the environment. A summary of the programme is as follows:
Day 1
- Welcome and Introductions
- New Apprentices
- Training Provider
- Senior Management
- View the corporate DVD
- Morning tea with new apprentices and attending
parent/s
- Overview of pay system and completion of
employment documents including tax file declaration form, payroll and superannuation
details
- Queensland Apprentice Services
- Details on legal binding contractual requirements
- Signing of the apprentice training contract
- Issue of Personal Protective Equipment and
Industrial clothing
Day 2
- Procedures for clocking on & discussion
of work hours
- Apprentice policy and job description
- Safety DVD
- Explanation of Caterpillar Tool Programme
& complete forms
- Issue of Caterpillar Tool Kit to apprentices
Day 3
- College requirements
- Apprentice record log books and daily log
books
- Apprentice training, rotation through workshop
sections & multimedia rosters
- Quality Assurance programme and DVD
- Hastings Deering Apprentice of the Year Award
and In-House training Certificates
Day 4
- Safe manual handling DVD
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Relationship with out equipment supplier
- Caterpillar
- Access to Caterpillar technical information
material
Day 5
- Team work
- Service Department organisational chart
- Revision of the Induction Programme
- Assignment to workstations