Arnold From Zambia To Australia
Where did Arnold’s journey with us begin?
We first made contact with Arnold in 2012, while we were recruiting globally for Komatsu Australia.
After some preliminary discussions we assessed that Arnold was a heavy equipment mechanic in Zambia with experience on Komatsu large 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, so he could meet up with Arnold in person and just chat with the openess and free flowing converation that only happens face to face.
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 working in Australia, the culture and if he had any questions about the offers of employment and relocation packages that Komatsu Australia were offering.
Previous working history
Arnold had been working with OEM dealers on mine sites in the Copperbelt which sits on the border between northern Zambia and the southern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Dennis and Arnold had in depth discussions about large surface mining equipment and earth moving gear in general.
It was really interesting and ground breaking stuff back then, Arnold had worked on Komatsu 730E and 630E’s doing rebuilds, and on the repowering project, adapting Komatsu 630E trucks from GM to Cummins engines.
They also discussed the work Arnold was doing changing from KTA to KTTA engines. This progressed into 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 Large Surface Mining Equipment Komatsu supplied and maintained in Australia. And they talked about models and numbers in the fleets etc, and Arnold was also interested in the bigger Komatsu hydraulic mining shovels.
Arnold had what it took, no question, next were the required checks to verify and authenticate what they had discussed.
Making the move to Australia
The background and integrity checks on Arnold came back A1, and we discussed his suitability for interview with Komatsu with a view to being interviewed and hired by Komatsu for Australia.
Dennis arranged an interview for Arnold with a Western Australian Komatsu supervisor named Mat.
The face to face interview took place in Lusaka, with Dennis and the Komatsu supervisor Mat thoroughly probing Arnold on his knowledge of heavy earth moving and large surface mining equipment and specifically his Komatsu Dealer experience.
Arnold easily passed the Komatsu interview selection process and was offered employment and a relocation package by Komatsu Australia. And he was quickly presented with a letter of offer that was subject to meeting clauses like medical and trade testing requirements, 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. He had a very good rapport with the hiring Komatsu supervisor Matthew and they are good friends to this day.
Arnold is pure quality and had no issues in transitioning to the Komatsu Australia way of working and adapting to Komatsu processes, when you’re quality, you know what’s required and you deliver.
Where is Arnold now?
After close to 10 years’ service with Komatsu Australia, Arnold had risen up through the ranks at Komatsu and became a key member of the Komatsu Product Support Team attending to Rio Tinto Mine Sites, in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
With Rio Tinto being a key customer of Komatsu Australia and having worked at Rio Tinto as one of Komatsu’s key personnel for such a long time, it was inevitable that Rio would eventually, transition Arnold to work direct for Rio Tinto.
And Arnold is now the Technical Trainer-Panel B for Rio Tinto at their West Angelas Operations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
Arnold made a great success of his move from Zambia to Australia. And having worked for Komatsu Australia for close to ten years, its safe to say that Komatsu Australia got great return on investment from Arnold.
Feedback from Arnold
Arnold was happy to share his journey and he said “his family and he are now Australian citizens and his life changed for the the better, beyond his wildest dreams”.
He sent us some photos that he wanted to share, of his family attending a Rio Tinto mine site open day. The joy on their faces just shines.
Clearly Arnold and his family have intergrated and excelled in the Australian community, and he is a highly valued employee that is now training and upskill Australians in the mining industry.
Does it get any better than this as a worker or an employer?
Arnold you sir are all class, pure quality. Dennis said he remembers the meetings that he had with you in Lusaka, and the meetings that you had together with Matthew and Dennis like it was yesterday.
Dennis said you promised that you would not let your employer down in Australia if you were given a chance, and we all thank you thank you for keeping your word. By keeping your word, you have lead the way for mechanics from Africa to follow in your foot steps to live and work Australia,
That was Arnold’s workers journey.
We are Skilled Migration Group Pty Ltd
Quality Never Goes Out Of Style
