Karl From England To Australia
Where did Karl’s journey with us begin?
Karl contacted our international recruitment specialist Dennis in 2010. Karl was very interested in migrating to Australia with his family and Karl had heard good things about the relocation packages that we were offering to people with the right qualifications, skill and experience.
After a few emails back and forth, and phone conversations we had assessed that Karl was a genuine candidate for Australian Caterpillar Dealers.
What was initially clear was that Karl was a dedicated family man and whatever role or location that was on offer, would have to suit a family with young children.
So we sent our international recruitment specialist Dennis to meet up with Karl in person in England.
Dennis asked Karl where would he like to meet up for the first in person chat, and Karl suggested meeting in the evening after he finished work, at a hotel near the M20 in Kent, England. Even though this meant our recruiter would have to spend a few hours in Europe’s biggest car park (The M25), a meeting was arranged and Karl’s journey had begun.
Previous working history
Karl was originally an apprentice at H Leverton which were taken over by the UK Caterpillar dealer Finning UK Ltd during Karl’s apprenticeship. And he stayed on for a couple of years at Finning after completing his apprenticeship before spending years in field service with Volvo and Greenshields JCB UK.
He knew systems and processes very well, his comprehension and use of electronic tools like Cat ET and SIS and of course contamination control and its importance with machines and especially in field service was very good.
Karl had worked on dozers, excavators, ADTs, motor graders etc and he was itching to get his hands on the big mining gear in the Australian Caterpillar dealer’s fleet.
Making the move to Australia
Our international recruitment specialist Dennis used his industry connections and completed the background and integrity checks on Karl. And then set about convincing the Australian Caterpillar dealer that they should interview and hire Karl as quickly as they could.
Dennis had no trouble convincing one of the world’s largest Caterpillar dealers that they should interview Karl as soon as possible, reminding them that if they didn’t take him, there was a line of other Cat dealers that would.
We were given the green light to have the Caterpillar Dealer’s HR department conduct a telephone interview with Karl within minutes of our recommendation reaching them.
Karl was interviewed by the dealer by telephone and was quickly presented with a letter of offer and contract of employment to work for one of the world’s largest Caterpillar dealers in Australia.
Starting work at the Caterpillar dealer in Australia
Karl started work in Queensland, Australia for the Caterpillar Dealer, and was initially placed into the regional branch workshop during his induction phase.
Quickly finding himself moving into the field service team and working on some of the largest surface mining trucks and gear in the world.
Karl was well received by the Cat Dealer and fitted right in, like he had been a part of the team for years.
The follow up reviews carried out by our team with the dealer always came back with the same feedback “can you get us more like Karl please?”.
Where is Karl now?
Karl is still working for the same Australian Caterpillar dealership.
He is very happy working in his role of Caterpillar field service technician.
Karl and his family all became Australian citizens as soon as they were allowed to do so.
Karl is coming up to 13 years service with the Australian Caterpillar Dealer, and is currently employed in a lead role in field service on MARC sites. Karl and his family have never looked back since migrating to Australia.
Feedback from Karl
We asked Karl for his permission to tell his story and if he wanted to say anything. And he said he was happy for us to share his story about his journey and that he’d highly recommend making the move to Australia to others and he wanted to say thanks to the Australian Caterpillar Dealership for the opportunity!
Karl had no issue with us telling his story and said this:
Hi Dennis
My family life in Australia has changed dramatically for the better compared to our life in the UK.
The Australian Caterpillar dealer I started working for, and still work for on large surface mining equipment have an excellent life / work balance compared to UK companies.
In the UK I used to have to work 6 long days a week and coupled with the traffic jams and long journey times, my role in field service in the UK left me with very little quality time with my family, and with young children I felt there must be more to life than this.
But at this Australian Caterpillar dealer I work a lifestyle roster of 4 days on, 4 days off, 5 days on, 5 days off – repeating the cycle.
To have five days off then work four days and the have four days off again, it means I have had the chance to be with my family as my kids have grown, I get to attend school sports days to watch the kids which is something I could never have done in the UK. I’ve obtained accreditation as a soccer coach and I coach the local kids in the community, Australia is home for us, my children have grown up as Aussie’s, it is world away from my old life in England.
But, it’s not all plain sailing making a move like this with a young family, you have to take the rough with the smooth while you find your feet.
Karl we wish you congratulations on your 13 years’ of service with the Australian Caterpillar Dealership and may there be many more.
That was Karl’s workers journey.
We are Skilled Migration Group Pty Ltd
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