Ryan Mackey from Honda Central (Tasmania) and Geoff Mentiplay from Peninsula Honda (Victoria) were recently named Honda Australia’s Apprentice and Technician of the Year respectively.
Both won their segment in the annual, national competition, which is open to all Honda service technicians and apprentices throughout the country. It is an opportunity to showcase their skills, which are recognised and rewarded by Honda Australia.
Honda’s Technical Training Department devises three rounds of twenty questions using information from workshop manuals, training materials, diagnostic equipment and other technical information to test the knowledge and competency of its service technicians and apprentices.
Prizes are awarded to those achieving the highest scores after rounds one and two to encourage their continued participation into round three.
The ten best are then selected and flown to Honda’s National Training Centre in Melbourne to compete in five exam modules – four practical skills and one theory exam covering the latest technology in Honda vehicles.
This year’s presentation for the finalists was held at the Melbourne Convention Centre with Honda Australia’s former Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Yasuhide Mizuno and Senior Director Mr. Lindsay Smalley. Special guest speaker was Honda’s new driver for the 2010 Australian Rally Championship, Eli Evans.