National Group apprentice adds another string to his bow

Rylan Hearn is fast-tracking his diesel mechanic apprenticeship as National Group expands its apprenticeship program.

A love of engines encouraged Rylan Hearn to pursue a new career direction in the trades through an apprenticeship with National Group.

The 32-year-old, a qualified electrician, joined National Group last year as a first-year diesel mechanic apprentice. He works on-site at BMA’s Caval Ridge coal mine, near Moranbah in Queensland’s Bowen Basin.

“I’ve loved playing around with engines ever since I was a kid,” says Rylan. “I’m glad I became a qualified ‘sparkie’, but I wanted to do something different with my career. Being a diesel mechanic on big mining equipment interested me and I had some mates who worked at National Group and spoke highly of the company.”

After working in Victoria and the Northern Territory, Rylan settled in Cairns in Far North Queensland. He commutes from Cairns for his work at Caval Ridge in Central Queensland, as part of his week-on, week-off roster.

“It’s a really interesting job,” he says. “I work on everything from highway service trucks to the big diggers, graders and dump trucks. There’s a lot of cool machinery at National Group to maintain and get experience on.”

Rylan is part of National Group’s fast-growing apprenticeship program. The company ramped up the program in 2020 to develop more diesel mechanics internally to support its current and future growth strategy, and leverage the training skills of its highly regarded maintenance team.

National Group’s apprenticeship program has doubled in size to 14 in the past year. At least a few more apprentices are expected to join next year, giving National Group a record number of apprenticeships in diesel mechanics.

Now in the second year of his apprenticeship, Rylan hopes to accelerate his apprenticeship and finish late next year. ‘I still have a few study blocks to do at TAFE, but am determined to finish my apprenticeship earlier than expected. I’ve had plenty of support from National Group and it’s gone really well so far.”

Rylan says his electrical skills and experience are assets for his new role in diesel mechanics. “As a sparkie, I specialised in overhead gantry cranes and spent plenty of time pulling motors apart. Being a diesel mechanic is a good fit for me.”

The electrification of more trucks in mining in coming years could increase demand for diesel mechanics with specialist electrical skills. “For now, I’m enjoying learning to become a diesel mechanic,” says Rylan. “But having two trade qualifications in the next few years gives me a different skillset and more career options.”
Rylan jokingly refers to himself as a ‘mature-age apprentice’. “It doesn’t bother me that I’m a bit older than your typical first- or second-year apprentice. I’ve always loved learning and having more experience helps with my apprenticeship.”

Rylan’s skills and experience add to the diversity of National Group’s apprenticeship program and reinforce why it’s never too late to begin a trade. Developing and recruiting more diesel mechanics – from people from all walks of life – remains a priority for National Group as it continues to expand.

For Rylan, the best part of his apprenticeship is the people. “I’ve made some great mates at National Group and am learning a lot from ‘Damo’ (Damien Melville, National Group Maintenance Superintendent) and the other supervisors on site. It’s an excellent crew to work with each day and the culture here is great.”

To learn more about careers at National Group, visit www.nationalgroup.co/careers/