Scania takes on new apprentices
Through their 2022 apprenticeship programme intake, Scania are providing a unique career path for 20 Australians – a path the truck and bus specialists say can lead to fulfilling long-term employment at Scania-owned workshops around the country.

Each four-year apprenticeship to become a qualified heavy truck and bus technician (or a longer dual apprenticeship adding in auto electrics) is undertaken by Scania in conjunction with TAFE, so students can fast-track their learning to complete the course sooner if they wish.
Benefits for apprentices under the Scania programme include 30 per cent more pay than the Award rate, plus access to the company’s employee bonus scheme. There is also on-the-job mentoring to ensure the training is progressing smoothly.
Once an apprentice is qualified, Scania says a stable and rewarding job in the heavy truck and bus industry awaits, with access to state-of-the art tooling and working on the world’s most advanced trucks, buses and industrial and marine engines.

“Scania is leading the shift towards sustainable transport solutions, so there’s already the opportunity to work on heavy-duty hybrid-electric vehicles, and battery electric vehicles could be on our roads by the time the class of 2022 qualifies,” says Sean Corby, Regional Executive Manager for Scania in NSW and Victoria.
“The shift toward e-mobility and digitalisation of systems means our apprentices and technicians will be at the cutting edge of heavy-duty transport technology.”
Corby added that the 2022 apprentice intake isn’t a one off, with Scania taking on around 20 first-year technician and parts apprentices annually to work at their capital city branches.
“In 2022 we’re opening a brand-new branch at Eastern Creek in Sydney, increasing the demand for technician apprentices within the business. We’re also looking for apprentices to join our parts interpreter teams - this is ideal for someone who wants to work in a workshop environment but may not want to be on the tools.”
According to Scania, apprentices learn and earn under their programme. They study at TAFE and undertake significant in-house learning at Scania, the costs of which are all met by Scania. The in-house training builds knowledge and confidence of Scania-specific vehicle systems to provide foundation skills for diagnosis, servicing and repair.

Scania apprentices enrolled in TAFE courses can achieve qualifications in either Certificate III Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology (AUR31116), Certificate III Automotive Sales (AUR31016) or Certificate III Automotive Electrical Technology (AUR30316). These courses are defined in the Australian Qualification Training Framework and deliver a consistent and transferrable qualification nationally, according to Scania.
Apprentices selecting a dual trade will aim to qualify in Certificate III Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology (AUR31116) and Certificate III Automotive Electrical Technology (AUR30316). Choosing a dual trade generally adds a further 18 months of study, but during the upskilling, apprentices will be paid as a qualified technician and provided with the opportunity to continue to upskill.

“Apprentices are well looked after and are embraced as an integral part of the Scania workshop workforce, where we work hard to foster strong team environments,” says Michele Gellatly, People and Culture Director at Scania Australia.
“Our apprentice programme has been exceptionally successful at producing qualified technicians who are excellent team players, astute at diagnostics and committed to maintaining our customers’ uptime.”
Ahead of this year’s intake, Gellatly said that 59 apprentices were employed across the Scania network, ranging from first to fourth year, plus 14 apprentices who qualified early.
She adds that, with Australia still suffering a skills shortage, apprentices will have plenty of opportunities to find work throughout their careers.

Additionally, with Scania being a significant supplier of vehicles to mining operations both within Australia and beyond, qualified technicians may have the opportunity to travel, working on some of the biggest and most powerful trucks, including the Scania 16.4-litre 770hp V8 - the world’s most powerful on-road truck engine – which is due to arrive in Australia soon.
“As a global company with 1600 workshops worldwide working on our engines, there are possibilities for travelling and working with Scania around the world,” Gellatly adds. “And your career path could take you anywhere within Scania as well. Many of Scania Australia’s senior managers began as apprentice technicians and have risen through the ranks.”
To find out more about the Scania apprenticeship programme, including how to nominate for the 2023 intake, email: [email protected]