Case study 5 – Komatsu Service and Commissioning Technician – Heavy Equipment Mechanic in Zambia to Technical Trainer in Australia
Recruited in Zambia in 2012 and deployed in 2012 to start work for Komatsu in Western Australia
This is Arnold’s journey.
Hours worked at Komatsu Australia since hiring
Commenced employment with Komatsu Australia
Date employment ended with Komatsu Australia
Substantial ROI for Komatsu Australia
Where did Arnold’s journey begin?
We first made contact with Arnold in 2012. After some preliminary discussions we assessed that Arnold was a Zambian heavy equipment mechanic with experience on large Komatsu surface mining equipment and he was a candidate we wanted to find out more about than was on his CV.
So once again we sent our international recruitment specialist Dennis to Zambia to meet up with Arnold in person.
Dennis arranged to meet Arnold in Luska the Capital of Zambia for a chat and to give Arnold the opportunity to ask any questions he had about any potential offers of employment and any relocation packages that Komatsu Australia might be offering.
Previous working history
Arnold had been working with OEM dealers on copper mine sites in the Copperbelt which sits on the border between northern Zambia and the southern Democratic of Congo.
Dennis and Arnold had in depth discussions about large surface mining and earth moving gear, Arnold had worked on Komatsu 730E and 630E’s doing rebuilds, and repowering Komatsu 630E trucks. And they discussed the work Arnold was doing changing from KTA to KTTA engines. There was also detailed discussion about the training provided by the mine owner and also the processes used at the mine site workshops and in field service.
Arnold was interested in the bigger Komatsu mining gear in Australia, models and numbers in the fleets etc, and was interested in the bigger Komatsu hydraulic shovels.
Making the move to Australia
Our international recruitment specialist Dennis completed the background and integrity checks on Arnold and discussed his suitability for interview by Komatsu with a view to being hired by Komatsu for Australia.
Dennis arranged an interview for Arnold with a Western Australian Komatsu supervisor, the interview took place face to face in Lusaka, with Dennis and the Komatsu supervisor thoroughly probing Arnold on his knowledge of heavy earth moving and surface mining equipment and specifically his Komatsu experience.
Arnold passed the Komatsu interview selection process and was offered employment and a relocation package by Komatsu Australia.
Arnold was quickly presented with a letter of offer subject to meeting clauses like medical and trade testing and he was given a couple of weeks to study the offer and decide.
Arnold accepted, signed and returned the offer and proceeded to complete the formal requirements for his offer and visa.
Starting work at Komatsu Australia
Arnold quickly settled into Australian life and fitted in great at the Komatsu workshop and he had a very good rapport with the hiring Komatsu supervisor.
Arnold had no issues in transitioning to the Komatsu Australia way of working and adapting to Komatsu processes.
Where is Arnold now?
Arnold was transferred from Komatsu Australia to Rio Tinto
But he is no longer employed as a heavy equipment mechanic or service and commissioning technician.
Arnold had risen up through the ranks at Komatsu and is now the Technical Trainer-Panel B for Rio Tinto at their West Angelas Operations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
With now close to 10 years service with Komatsu Australia, it’s clear that Arnold made a great success of his move from Zambia to Australia and that Arnold is committed to Australia for the long term. With Rio Tinto being a key customer of Komatsu Australia and having worked for Rio Tinto as one of Komatsu’s key personnel for such a long time, it was inevitable that Rio would eventually hire Arnold direct.
Did overseas recruitment of heavy equipment mechanics work for Komatsu Australia?
Some like to view success in monetary terms.
Some view success in terms of a person fitting in.
Some view success in terms of how long something lasts.
Close to 10 years of service for Komatsu Australia
Risen through the ranks to become the Technical Trainer-Panel B for Rio Tinto West Angelas Operations, in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
19,800 billable hours since being hired, most on Western Australian mine sites
Regardless how you measure success.
The overseas recruitment of heavy equipment mechanics has been an outstanding success.
Measure of ROI – Substantial