Leon, Cat Technician to Field Service Supervisor – Wales to Australia
Where did Leon’s journey with Skilled Migration Group begin?
When we first talked to Leon, after a quick first chat our international recruitment specialist Dennis knew that Leon was someone he wanted to meet in person.
All we knew at this stage was Leon was a Caterpillar Dealer trained field service engineer that wanted to relocate to Australia, specifically Leon wanted to relocate to Queensland.
So our international recruitment specialist Dennis arranged to meet up with Leon in person.
Leon suggested meeting up at a coffee shop near the M4 motorway on the outskirts of Cardiff in Wales.
Could there possibly be a more exotic location for a chat about large surface mining equipment….
And that’s where Leon’s journey from Wales, to working for one of the world’s biggest Caterpillar dealers in Australia began.
Previous working history
Dennis and Leon had quite a few laughs over discussion of coal mines in Wales versus coal mines in Queensland, Australia.
With Leon explaining that the Welsh mine had a coal seam of around two foot (0.6 of a meter) and Dennis explaining that it was not exceptional to have 28 meter coal seams in Queensland.
There was discussion about Leon doing his apprenticeship for the colliery in Mid Glamorgan in Wales (a coal mine). And that he had since been working for OEM dealers including the Caterpillar Dealer Finning UK Limited and also for Volvo, and he had plenty of experience of dealer processes and electronic diagnostic tooling.
When it came to the surface mining equipment, Leon had worked on small rigid Cat trucks 777F and 775F and ADT 740, 735 and 725, D10T dozers, motor graders and wheel loaders, and he had good experience of how different companies approached maintenance and ongoing training of their employees.
Leon was primed for a long term role with an Australian Caterpillar dealer, he and his partner had already researched a great deal about Australian life and they wanted to try it.
Dennis was already way ahead of them, he was already talking to the Australian Caterpillar Dealer before even he got to his car.
Leon was going to Australia, no question about it, he was the perfect mix of mindset, skills and experience.
Making the move to Australia
Our international recruitment specialist Dennis using his industry connections completed the background and integrity checks on Leon and quickly the Australian Caterpillar Dealer agreed that they should interview and hire Leon as fast as they could.
The Aussie Cat Dealer by this stage no longer required any convincing, with the message from the top and the supervisors on the shop floor being loud and clear “if they get past Dennis, we want them”.
Starting work at the Caterpillar dealer in Australia
From day one Leon slotted straight into the Australian Caterpillar Dealership.
There’s nothing to say except Leon as expected, just suited his role perfectly. He suited the Australian Caterpillar Dealership and his new location in Australia perfectly.
From day one, Leon and his partner embraced the local community and fitted in perfectly.
Where is Leon now?
Leon is still working for the same Australian Caterpillar dealership.
But he is no longer employed as a field service fitter.
Leon as risen up through the Australian Caterpillar Dealership and is by all accounts ‘killing it’ as the Field Service Supervisor in Central Queensland.
Leon is a part of a team of over 160 people covering Caterpillar large surface mining equipment, construction, quarrying, waste, agricultural and marine equipment.
With now close to 14 years’ service with one of the world’s largest Caterpillar dealers in Australia and counting, Leon has proved his value and loyalty and deserves every success that comes his way, he has earned it.
Feedback from Leon
Leon was pretty relaxed when he first talked with Dennis in Wales many years ago, and he hasn’t changed.
He was happy to share his journey and he said “to anyone thinking about making the move from Wales to work for a Caterpillar Dealer in Australia, I say take the chance and run with it, you’ll never regret it”.
Leon also could not praise highly enough the Australian Caterpillar dealer that employed him nearly fourteen years ago – he has nothing but good things to say about the company and said they had been very fair to work for, more than fair he said.
Leon, Dennis said you told him over 14 years ago that you were committed to making the move to Australia, and if given the chance would not let the Australian Caterpillar Dealer down.
Leon you are a man of your word, the Cat dealer has not been let down, and is lucky to have you working with them.
Congratulations Leon on 14 years’ service and counting, and may there be many more!
That was Leon’s workers journey.
We are Skilled Migration Group and Quality Never Goes Out Of Style
“To anyone thinking about making the move from Wales to work for a Caterpillar Dealer in Australia, I say take the chance and run with it, you’ll never regret it.”
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