28
Nov
Nov
CDK Stone launches graduate engineer program to extend and
refine training in its Service Department
CDK Stone has launched a new graduate program to attract and train the best young engineers for its multi-faceted service department. This follows a 12-month pilot training program developed by Rob Skinner, Service Team Development Manager at CDK Stone
The company sells and services major brands including Burkhardt, Cobalm, Comandulli, Dal Prete, GMM and Thibaut, and is seeking talented graduates in mechatronics, electrical and mechanical engineering who can develop skills for servicing different brands and machinery models.
“We started the pilot program last year with three new engineers who provided valuable feedback as we geared up and refined the program,” says Ryan Smith, CDK Stone’s Service Manager.
“We’ve found it’s beneficial to hire graduates and train them from scratch on the actual machinery, and also on the software integration that helps automate processes, speed up production and
manage inventory and quoting.”
Graduates are brought to Melbourne for six months where they work with senior engineers who mentor and provide on-the-job training. The detailed week-by-week practical course is complemented with a theoretical component. All training is recorded in a regularly reviewed schedule with the Service Development Manager.
The training program includes an overall introduction to measuring and machine operating using the latest CNC machinery, plus the development of practical skills on a range of mechanical, electrical and software systems. It is a practical application of their degrees with a focus on field experience, where graduates learn machine and software diagnostics, troubleshooting, customer service and the skills to convey information in a logical and structured way.
The two new graduates who started the program in July have shown an aptitude for the software which CDK Stone offers stonemasons. The programs, which assist with templating, production and vein matching, allow stone masons to automate processes and make their businesses more efficient.
After completing the program, graduates have further opportunities to learn and upskill on CDK Stone’s range of software programs.
Graduates hired from NSW, Queensland and Victoria
Graduates are being hired from NSW and Queensland as well as Victoria, with interstate engineers accommodated in a fully furnished house funded by CDK Stone as part of their package. The training program will expand into other states as required.
The company is building relationships with Victoria’s Swinburne University and Melbourne Polytechnic, and will establish similar relationships in NSW and Queensland.
CDK currently has 17 field service engineers and three dedicated software specialists, and is seeking a further two graduate engineers.
“Our team is now the largest in the stone industry, and our graduate program is building even higher skill levels and greater depth of knowledge to service our clients throughout Australia,” Smith says.
“Because our company sources the best machinery for each job type, we need to service a wider variety of machines from several different suppliers. We start by giving graduates a thorough grounding on all brands of machinery, and will specialise some on particular brands depending on their individual aptitude.”
Field service engineers attend to machinery breakdowns, carry out preventative maintenance and general maintenance calls.
CDK Stone already has a success story from its pilot program. A young Customer Service and Warehouse coordinator was hired in early 2021 with no engineering qualifications.
His speed in identifying spare parts and his natural skill in fault-finding saw him successfully apply for a field service position and admittance to the graduate program. His rapid progress has resulted in him heading to Germany later this year for three weeks of intensive training with one of CDK Stone’s major suppliers.
