Nationwide Recruitment Campaign
The Gough Group, best known as New Zealand’s dealer for Caterpillar heavy machinery, is looking for apprentices with the drive to succeed in the industry.
As one of the largest employers of heavy automotive apprentices in New Zealand, the Cantabrian company employs around 50 apprentices at any given time throughout their branch network in New Zealand and Australia. They are mostly employed in Gough’s transport and equipment groups operating in numerous industries, including mining, forestry, transport and infrastructure.
While embarking on their careers with Goughs, apprentices will attend globally recognised Caterpillar product and systems training through Goughs Institute of Training and study through the NZ Motor Industry Training Organisation (MITO) for their National Certificate in Automotive Heavy Engineering (Plant and Equipment) supported by MITO’s Industry Training Advisors.
Adam Lyon, a former MITO apprentice, and now the manager of the Goughs Institute of Training says training is highly valued in the company. “The Goughs Institute of Training is a dedicated fulltime training department that specialises in providing support not only to apprentice mechanics but also to staff at all levels of knowledge and experience within the Gough Group of businesses.
“The MITO certified qualifications and experience we can offer provides apprentices with world-class skills at the pinnacle of global industry,” he says.
“The quality of our training and the variety of working experiences are among the best in the world.”
To ensure the company employs talented people for its team, Goughs uses a comprehensive recruitment process. New apprentices sit tests in numeric, verbal, practical and mechanical skills, and complete group exercises to assess their team work and leadership potential. Those who show the drive to study and learn skills on the job can then go on to complete the national certificate.
“If you are technically minded and you have the qualities we are looking for then our apprenticeship programme may be for you. The opportunities for career advancement to supervisory and management positions are all part of the career path we can offer,” Lyon says.
Alongside its apprentice scheme, Goughs works with MITO to upskill its existing workforce, using MITO’s ATech® advanced technician programme and First Line Management (business skills) programme.
The group is also committed to working with MITO to assist qualified petrol or light vehicle mechanics to extend their qualifications to become heavy diesel technicians, along with offering Caterpillar systems training to upskill heavy diesel mechanics from other industry sectors such as agriculture and road transport.
*For more information go online to goughgroup.co.nz .