The Service Managers' Council held its first meeting for 2009 at the CVIAQ office at Darra and was well supported by nineteen attendees. CVIAQ CEO, Mr Brett Wright, acted as Chairman for the meeting and welcomed all Council members in particular new attendees, Ms Nicole Gillespie (TORGAS), Mr Lloyd Dilger (MTU Detroit Diesel) and Mr Steve Bliss & Mr Reid Ossington (Hastings Deering).

The meeting commenced with Mr Chris Kroehn of SkillsTech Australia providing an update on the outcomes reached at the SkillsTech Training Delivery Reform Workshop held in December 2008. Mr Kroehn circulated a draft document detailing the AUR training packages and spoke, in particular, on AUR 30405 Cert 3 Automotive Mechanical (Heavy Vehicle Road Transport). Of the 36 competencies that comprised the qualification, the attendees of the December 2008 workshop, proposed that 13 were competencies that SkillsTech had the resources to determine a final assessment result of ‘J’. The Council reviewed the thirteen competencies and after some discussion, agreed that SkillsTech didn’t have sufficient resources to award a final assessment on two of the competencies, “Repair Air Brake Systems” and “Carry out Wheel Alignment Operations”. The Chairman determined that Council would support SkillsTech awarding a final assessment of ‘J’ to the remaining eleven competencies subject to a delegation from the Council meeting with representatives from SkillsTech to review workbooks, assessment and resources relating to the eleven competencies. Workbooks and assessment books for two of the competencies, “Environmental Regulations” and “Test, Service and Charge Batteries” were distributed for Council members to make initial comment.

The Chairman called for CVIAQ Regulatory Officer, Mr John Samson, to provide an update to Council on Trade Plate use. Mr Samson referred Council to the recent CVIAQ proposal to Queensland Transport (QT) contained within the meeting papers which listed recommendations in relation to the movement of unregistered vehicles and the use of dealer plates on commercial vehicles. Mr Samson also referred Council to QT’s Vehicle Standards Instruction relating to the movement of unregistered vehicles as well as a TORUM extract on the registration and use of dealer plates to explain the current legislation. Mr Samson explained that he is currently following up with QT on the CVIAQ proposal. The Chairman requested Mr Samson also seek clarification with QT on the proper method of fixing and positioning a trade plate to the vehicle as the legislation is ambiguous on this point.

The Chairman reported on the format of the CVIAQ Apprentice Challenge at the 2009 Queensland Truck and Machinery Show and the development of an Industry Career Centre located next to the competition site as a means of leveraging audience interest in heavy vehicle careers. Council was informed of CVIAQ’s intention to bus in secondary school students from the Brisbane South West district to the show to attend the Apprentice Challenge and Careers Centre. The Chairman invited member companies who employ apprentices to provide some information to CVIAQ on their business, including synopsis and relevant staff contact details, which would be included in a careers kit to be handed to interested school leavers and job seekers attending the show. Volunteers from the Council were also called for to assist in the fault setting of the trucks and as volunteers on the competition days.

The Chairman requested Mr Samson to report on CVIAQ’s proposal to QT to provide the Approved Persons Training course specific to the Heavy Vehicle industry. Mr Samson provided an overview of the scheme currently in existence listing its shortcomings, in particular, that it does not address any technical standards. Mr Samson reported that the CVIAQ proposal had addressed the shortcomings and was very well received by QT. CVIAQ is waiting on a response but id confident of gaining government approval.