Equipment donation gives back to apprentice training

Alan Kidd ‐ AFGRI Equipment Carnamah sales and service representative with apprentices Luke Morley and Chas Skipworth.

A Carnamah business representative’s innovative idea and apprentice training at Durack Institute of Technology have paid dividends.

The Carnamah branch of AFGRI Equipment recently donated a fully functioning Holden engine to Durack Institute of Technology’s Automotive Training Facility.

The electronically controlled, fuel injected engine is mounted on a stand and includes all relevant functions including Computer and Emission Systems, Dashboard, and On‐Board Diagnostic capabilities.

The idea was the brainchild of AFGRI Equipment Carnamah sales and service representative, Alan Kidd, and the engine and stand were constructed by the company’s two apprentices, Luke Morley, and Chas Skipworth.

“Luke and Chas had to employ all the skills they learned during their on‐the‐job apprentice training with AFGRI Equipment, as well as off‐the‐job training at Durack Institute of Technology to achieve such a successful outcome,” said Mr Kidd.

“I am very pleased for this motor to relocate to Durack, and I am thrilled to be making a direct contribution to automotive training in this region.”

Luke and Chas are proud of their achievement.

Luke said he particularly enjoyed welding the frame and finding solutions on how to best fit all the mechanical components while Chas loved figuring out how to wire up and adapt the electronics to make it work.

Durack’s Light Duty Mechanical Lecturers, Wayne Scally, and Tom Buhlmann have already made plans on how this generous donation can be integrated into their training delivery.

“The engine is ideal for providing easy access to vehicle electronics and diagnostics ports,” Mr Scally said. “It will be fantastic for the pre‐apprentice in‐school students to learn how to use automotive scan tools on this engine.”

Mr Buhlmann’s plans include using the engine to teach third‐year apprentices.  

“The third year automotive apprentices will be reverse engineering switchable electronic faults into this rig, and will have to devise fault finding flow charts and wiring diagrams while learning advanced automotive diagnostic processes,” he said.

Durack’s Mining, Automotive, Transport and Art Department’s Training Director, Darren Winterbine, said this equipment addition fits perfectly with Durack’s strategic goals of direct industry engagement.

“I am full of praise for AFGRI Equipment’s involvement and support of Durack’s apprentice training program, as well as the fruitful partnership Durack’s auto team has been able to build with local industry partners”. he said