Hire and Rental News - August 2019

Record forklift apprentice intake for TMHA From a staggering 826 apprenticeship applications from around the country, Toyota Material Handling Australia (TMHA) has inducted a record 14 technicians in its annual intake. F rom a total of 826 applications for apprenticeships from around the country, Toyota Material Handling Australia (TMHA) has inducted a record 14 apprentice forklift technicians in its annual intake. The new apprentices who will ensure a solid skills support base for the future, were accompanied by mentors from their respective TMHA branches. They were inducted and received their tools of trade at TMHA’s Sydney headquarters in March. TMHA President and CEO Steve Takacs, who began his career as a forklift technician, welcomed the inductees. The apprentices also received presentations on Toyota values, company policies and expectations, safety procedures and Toyota history, and a tour of TMHA’s national headquarters. TMHA National Technical Advisor and Trainer Gerry Larney said: “We currently have 35 apprentices completing their four-year courses across our 18 branches and a total of 450 staff in product support roles,” he said. “TMHA views the apprentice program as a cornerstone in providing the highest levels of product support,” he said. “It is a real investment in our future, because today’s apprentices are tomorrow’s technicians.” TMHA also conducts an annual national skills contest, open to all technicians and apprentices, with the aim of keeping service staff at the cutting edge of industry standards. Steve Takacs said Toyota has been at the forefront of forklift technician training for much of the 50 years the company has been selling forklifts in Australia. This is further supported by specialist TAFE and in-house training programs for Australia’s forklift technicians. “The annual apprentice intake was initiated more than a decade ago to help ensure we have a strong skills base to support our business,” he said. “Having a skilled team of technicians ready to provide high-quality back-up for all Toyota material-handling equipment is a clear benefit for our customers nation-wide, and part of the Toyota Advantage.” n Contact: 1800 425 438 or visit: www.toyotamaterialhandling.com.au The HRIA unveils a new logo To reflect the evolution of the Australian hire and rental industry which has progressed significantly since its inception in the 1960s, the HRIA has redesigned and launched a new logo. P art of a plan to move the Association forward and better serve and represent its members, the updated logo follows significant growth seen across the hire industry in recent years and is in line with the Association’s strategic plan. “Over the past 50 years the HRIA has evolved and grown considerably. With the next generation of owners and those transitioning into management, and in some cases ownership of their businesses; along with the larger national companies expanding, the HRIA needed to evaluate its role and put in place a new strategic plan for the future. A key part of this was a new branding initiative to reflect significant advances in the industry, and better represent where the sector and the Association is heading in the future,” James Oxenham, HRIA CEO said. The new logo maintains the established blue colouring, which has historically represented the Association, and has received more contemporary styling and been simplified to enhance and improve the Association’s relevance and value to members. The logo was also designed to work alongside its related Associations, the Elevating Work Platform Association of Australia (EWPA) and the Telescopic Handler Association of Australia (TSHA). “The transition to the new identity for the HRIA is a big change. During the implementation, both the new and old logos will continue to exist in the market. We estimate the transition to the new brand will be complete in the second half of 2019,” James said. “This new identity represents everything the HRIA has always stood for and we look forward to working with our members, focusing on promoting and supporting the hire and rental industry. “We are excited for this next chapter in the evolution of the HRIA.” The HRIA is happy to receive feedback. n Contact: 02 9998 2255 or email: info@hireandrental.com.au TMHA’s 14 new apprentices who will ensure a solid skills support base for the future P8 HIRE AND RENTAL NEWS AUGUST 2019 INDUSTRY NEWS