As one of the leading Cat Dealers in the Asia Pacific region, Hastings Deering is always raising the bar in training and development, to ensure that the company continues to provide customers with top of the line services and expertise. It also means that employees are always able to develop and grow their capabilities in the company, allowing them opportunities for advancements.
In chalking up another milestone for the company, Paul Rogers, Technology Training Team Lead from Hastings Deering became one of only three in Australia, and only one of five worldwide, to achieve a Level 2 certification for Command AHS (Autonomous Haulage Systems). The certification allows Paul to train operators for any autonomous trucks in the CAT fleet. Alongside the Technology Team at Hastings Deering, Paul will be supporting the company’s rollout of the autonomous 797 and 793’s Caterpillar trucks for its customer, BHP at the Daunia mine in Queensland.
“Technology is changing rapidly, and my work allows me to be involved in how technology will change our industry, from facilitating learning with our people, supporting customers and working with the Skills Council for Queensland to build appropriate and relevant certification in autonomy for our young people.”
Paul Rogers, Technology Training Lead
On obtaining his certification, Paul explains, “It took me two years to get this certification. I had to complete countless courses, including participating in person at a hauling testing ground in Tuscon, Arizona, as well as attending online training, sometimes from midnight to 3am and undertaking the required CAT tests in the United States.”
Paul said he could not have achieved this without the support from the Technology and Training teams at Hastings Deering.
“The support was not only a key part of receiving my certification, but our work going forward. Continuing this work together will be central to partnering with our employees and customers on this journey.”
Paul’s advice for anyone else interested in this technology and aspiring to work with it or train for it, is to get involved!
“Technology is changing rapidly, and my work allows me to be involved in how technology will change our industry, from facilitating learning with our people, supporting customers and working with the Skills Council for Queensland to build appropriate and relevant certification in autonomy for our young people.”
BHP is introducing 34 autonomous trucks at the Daunia coal mine with the first Caterpillar autonomous trucks to start work from February 2021.
According to Hastings Deering Chief Executive Officer Dean Mehmet, the company will support the work that is required to convert the trucks and ancillary mining fleet into autonomous vehicles at Daunia.
“It’s exciting work to grow and develop local talent to deliver technology solutions into the resources sector," he commented recently, in a (month year) article in Australia Mining.