MEET THE APPRENTICE CLASS OF 2025 From left to right: Ryan Walker, Jett Taylor, Angus Fleming, Toby Huston and Dominic Holmes.
ANGUS FLEMING – DUNEDIN Why an apprenticeship? I did some work experience with Terra Cat last year, and the first time I jumped on a bit of machinery I was like, ‘this is where I want to be’. Two years later here I am, starting my apprenticeship with Terra Cat. I’m stoked. Why Terra? I want to stay at Terra Cat and achieve Caterpillar’s standard as a qualified technician, then explore more opportunities within the company to expand my knowledge. First impressions? It’s been really good so far. We’ve learnt a lot and there’s plenty more to come, I’m sure. There’s been a lot of information given to us over the first week, but I’m excited to be part of the team. Hobbies? I have a 4WD and like to get out driving with my mates, a bit of camping and spending time with my family and my dogs. TOBY HUSTON – ROTORUA Why an apprenticeship? Just the wide variety of things you get to learn. You’ve got these machines that can take you anywhere in the world if you’re trained on them. And there’s such a huge range of Cat machines, and each of them has their own unique things to learn about. Why Terra? I feel like Terra Cat is pretty much the industry standard in the heavy machinery world. So where better to be learning than from the best. How’s the first week been? Oh, it’s been awesome. There are heaps of friendly faces; everyone’s just been super cool, super knowledgeable, and there’s heaps to learn.
TERRA CAT’S NEW INTAKE OF APPRENTICES HAS HIT THE GROUND RUNNING! The group of five from Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Nelson and Dunedin is the first intake in 18 months for the business. As well as learning the ropes at their home service centre, they’ll also benefit from Terra’s continued partnership with Hastings Deering to provide hands-on training in Brisbane at different times through their apprenticeship.
Why this industry? I had a little yellow bulldozer like every other kid. I guess it started there. And then just growing up loving to fix stuff, it sort of just snowballed from there. Hobbies? Everything from mountain biking to skiing and surfing... anything that gets me outside really. DOMINIC HOLMES – AUCKLAND Why an apprenticeship? I’ve never really been much of a classroom person, and an apprenticeship is a great opportunity to learn in a hands-on, practical way. Why Terra? When you think of an apprenticeship and heavy diesel, Cat is what you first think of. And when I went in for work experience in Auckland, I just knew this was the right place to be. The people around me, everyone was so nice. First impressions? It’s been quite interesting just to hear about all the stuff we will be learning over the next few years. And it’s a good group, everything about it has been good so far. We’re here to get the qualification, but also to get to know and learn from the people already working here. Why this industry? It’s a funny story actually. My first ever word was “digger”. So that was already a telltale sign. Every time we’d drive past one my parents would point it out and I’d say it. And then this apprenticeship was the best way to get into it. Hobbies? I do a lot of 4WDing, and watersports like wakeboarding.
RYAN WALKER – HAMILTON Why an apprenticeship? I want to become a qualified Caterpillar technician and uphold Terra’s values and safety standards. A Caterpillar qualification is known and recognised around the world, which is pretty awesome. Why Terra? I’ve always liked working on vehicles, but I’ve got more interested in working on big vehicles and heavy machinery. So who better to go to than Caterpillar? First impressions? I love the emphasis there is on safety. Terra really upholds the emphasis on its values of keeping us safe, and expects us to live them every day. I’ve done six months of work experience with the Terra team in Hamilton, and after that I knew I wanted to progress with an apprenticeship. Hobbies? Working on cars and gaming.
JETT TAYLOR – NELSON Why an apprenticeship? I’ve been into cars and trucks ever since I was little. The old man kind of put that into me. I was interested in an apprenticeship and figured that bigger was better. Why Terra? I always wanted to do it here, but I honestly thought I would never get in... and then it all worked out. It was the name that appealed at first, the Cat product really is the best of the best. First impressions? It’s been great, maybe except for the paperwork. The guys are great, this place is great, the machines, the equipment, everything. Working on these kinds of machines, it’s been an interest of mine as long as I can remember. Hobbies? Tinkering with my cars, driving them, spending time with my mates, and I do a bit of biking too.
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