Arnold, Heavy Equipment Mechanic – 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 real experience on Komatsu large surface mining equipment — and a candidate we wanted to know more about than a CV could tell us.
So once again we sent Dennis to Zambia, to meet Arnold in person and have the kind of open, free-flowing conversation that only happens face to face. They met in Lusaka, the capital, where Arnold could ask anything he wanted about working in Australia, the culture, and the employment and relocation packages Komatsu Australia was 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 went deep on large surface mining equipment. It was genuinely ground-breaking work for the time: Arnold had done rebuilds on Komatsu 730E and 630E trucks, worked on the repowering project adapting 630Es from GM to Cummins engines, and on conversions from KTA to KTTA engines. They talked through the training provided by the mine owner, the processes used in the mine site workshops and in field service, and the models and fleet numbers of the equipment Komatsu supplied and maintained in Australia — including the bigger Komatsu hydraulic mining shovels Arnold was keen on.
Arnold had what it took. No question. Next came the required checks to verify and authenticate everything they had discussed.
Making the move to Australia
The background and integrity checks on Arnold came back A1, and Dennis arranged an interview with a Western Australian Komatsu supervisor named Mat. The face-to-face interview took place in Lusaka, with Dennis and Mat thoroughly probing Arnold on his knowledge of heavy earthmoving and large surface mining equipment, and specifically his Komatsu dealer experience.
Arnold passed the Komatsu selection process easily and was offered employment and a relocation package by Komatsu Australia — a letter of offer subject to the usual clauses like medical and trade testing requirements, with a couple of weeks to study it and decide. Arnold accepted, signed, and completed the formal requirements for his offer and his visa.
Starting work at Komatsu Australia
Australia — the lucky country. Arnold settled quickly into Australian life and fitted in great at the Komatsu workshop. He built a very good rapport with the hiring supervisor, Matthew, and they are good friends to this day.
Arnold is pure quality, and he had no trouble 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 ten years’ service with Komatsu Australia, Arnold had risen through the ranks to become a key member of the Komatsu Product Support Team attending Rio Tinto mine sites in the Pilbara, Western Australia.
With Rio Tinto a key Komatsu customer, and Arnold one of Komatsu’s key people on their sites for so long, it was perhaps inevitable that Rio would eventually bring him across. Arnold is now the Technical Trainer — Panel B for Rio Tinto at their West Angelas operations in the Pilbara.
Arnold made a great success of his move from Zambia to Australia — and after close to ten years, it’s safe to say Komatsu Australia got a great return on their investment in him.
Feedback from Arnold
Arnold was happy to share his journey. He told us his family and he are now Australian citizens, and that his life changed for the better — beyond his wildest dreams. He sent us photos he wanted to share, of his family attending a Rio Tinto mine site open day. The joy on their faces just shines.
Arnold and his family have integrated and excelled in the Australian community, and he is a highly valued employee who now trains and upskills Australians in the mining industry. Does it get any better than this — as a worker, or as an employer?
Arnold, you sir are all class. Pure quality. Dennis remembers the meetings with you in Lusaka, and the meetings together with Matthew, like it was yesterday. You promised you would not let your employer down in Australia if you were given a chance — and we thank you for keeping your word. By keeping it, you led the way for mechanics from Africa to follow in your footsteps and live and work in Australia.
That was Arnold’s worker’s journey. We are Skilled Migration Group. Quality never goes out of style.
“Arnold told us his family and he are now Australian citizens, and that his life changed for the better — beyond his wildest dreams.”
Workers review Skilled Migration Group independently on Google — read their reviews, in their own words.
Book an Initial Consultation
Book an Initial Consultation