Daimler has announced it has joined the Cummins Technical Education for Communities initiative (TEC), halping to give opportunities to a new generation of Australian technicians.
Daimler and Cummins say the TEC program is designed to create community partnerships between schools, employers and community stakeholders which support students in their transition from school to employment in the industry.
The company says it has a particular focus on disadvantaged areas, where quality vocational training can help make a difference to the community and provide opportunity to young people.
Daimler Truck and Bus president and CEO, Daniel Whitehead, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Cummins South Pacific managing director and TEC program sponsor, Steph Disher, outlining DTB’s commitment to the program.
Mr Whitehead says Daimler, which includes the Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner, Fuso and Alliance Truck Parts brands, is excited to be involved in the initiative.
“The Cummins TEC initiative helps bring exciting new talent into our great industry and gives young people opportunities they may not previously had access to,” he says.
“This program is one of the many ways we can help make the transport field a real destination industry and encourage talented young people to consider a field that may not have been on their radar.”
“Cummins has a proud history of serving the communities in which we are a part of,” says Steph Disher. “The TEC program is an opportunity for industry to work together to combat our shortages of skilled tradespeople in a proactive way while also working in those communities that need jobs the most.
“It is with companies like Daimler Truck and Bus as partners that we hope to see great job outcomes and results for the students in the project.”
The TEC program works with high schools, which often have access to automotive programs, but not quality programs focussed on heavy vehicles.
It is not limited to technician roles, with pathways also leading to roles such as administration, spare parts interpreting, warehousing and more.
There are currently five schools around Australia that participate in the TEC program including two in Brisbane and Perth and one in Melbourne.
Often described as a ‘Certificate II’ on steroids, the TEC program gives students a grounding in safety, a wide range of technical skills as well as training on employer expectations, workplace behaviour and work readiness.
Involvement of the TEC partners means the students are often able to work on donated components such as engines. They can also benefit from work experience at various companies, industry tours, guidance and mentoring, as well as sought-after apprenticeships that can lead to job opportunities.
The Cummins TEC initiative is also in operation in a range of other markets around the world. In Australia, the list of participating brands now includes Cummins, Daimler Truck and Bus, AHG, Komatsu, Penske Power, PACCAR Dealer Network, Westrans, CJD Equipment, Bayford, Brierty, FDWA and Lindsay Transport.
