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PACCAR Australia wins National Manufacturing Industry Training Award

Pic. caption L to R: The Hon Andrew Robb, Federal Minister for Vocational and Further Education, presents Joe Rizzo, Managing Director, PACCAR Australia, with the National Manufacturing Industry Training Award.

PACCAR Australia, the manufacturer of Australia’s leading heavy duty trucks, Kenworth, has won the Federal Government’s 2007 Industry Training Award for Manufacturing.

This national competition, run by the Australian Department of Education, Science and Training, involves a lengthy judging process at both state and national level.

The award was presented by the Federal Minister for Vocational and Further Education, The Hon Andrew Robb in a ceremony in Hobart Tasmania on November 8^th. It recognises innovation and excellence in the provision of vocational education and training programmes for all employees. This acknowledgement of PACCAR’s commitment to training follows on the heels of being named the Employer of the Year at the Victorian Government’s 2007 Training Awards in August.

In accepting the award, PACCAR Australia’s Managing Director, Joe Rizzo, said he was delighted to win back-to-back state and national training awards.

“PACCAR Australia prides itself on manufacturing world-class trucks and offering a range of competitive services and support. Our continuing success is the largely the product of our highly-skilled staff who undergo rigorous training across all areas of the business. We view vocational education as an investment in our most valuable asset. Our employees are the key to our competitiveness, productivity and future viability,” he said.

PACCAR Australia became a Registered Training Organisation in 2002 and has since invested more than $4.5 million in traineeships and development initiatives across the board. As a result, at the end of 2006 all Kenworth factory employees participated in a nationally recognised qualification, with competency level attainment of 90 per cent.

Mr Rizzo said training has always played a key role at PACCAR, even more so in recent years as the company has acknowledged the ageing population and the diminishing availability of skills in the workplace.

“As part of PACCAR’s commitment to training, we have created ‘skills pathways’ which create challenge and opportunity for our employees. This involves ongoing learning and development in a wide range of skills, not just in our manufacturing operation, but across the broad spectrum of our business. That includes development programs in leadership, manufacturing, engineering and accountancy, as well as apprenticeships in our dealerships around Australia,” he explained.

The company is not only Australia’s leading manufacturer of heavy-duty trucks, it also incorporates a finance division, wholesale parts distribution centre and nationwide dealer network, as well as retail outlets which sell trucks, parts and provide after-sales service. All in all, the company directly employs more than 1100 people.

PACCAR Australia has one of the highest staff retention rates in its industry. In 2001, it identified that 20 per cent of the work force had been with the company 20 years or more.

“While we are fortunate to have a loyal work force, we recognise the importance of growing the next generation of employees and leaders.

“The success and growth of this company comes substantially from the quality of our people. Quality training is critical to PACCAR Australia meeting the needs of our customers today and tomorrow,” Mr Rizzo added.

PACCAR Australia is the manufacturer of Kenworth, the market leader in heavy duty trucks in Australia with vehicles designed and manufactured locally to meet some of the world’s toughest applications. Kenworth trucks are also exported to Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. PACCAR Australia also distributes the DAF range of medium and heavy duty trucks imported from Europe. PACCAR Inc, a Six Sigma company, is a worldwide manufacturer of heavy and medium duty trucks under the Kenworth, Peterbilt, and DAF nameplates. It also provides financial services and distributes truck parts related to its principal business.

RELEASE ENDS

For further information:

Neil Willox

Marketing Manager

PACCAR Australia

Tel: (03) 9721 1500

Media Contact: Neil Willox (neil.willox@paccar.com)

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