A MUCH NEEDED North Coast apprenticeships’ push to address a bus-industry skills shortage is being driven - in partnership with Volvo Bus Australia - via a recent Express Coach Builder’s contract to further the supply of buses in regional NSW for operator Buslines, the companies announced recently.
In order to boost the amount of qualified staff in the skills necessary for Express Coach Builder’s (ECB) bus body building operations, the company is heavily investing in apprenticeships to support its expanding operations and currently have more than 13 apprentices, which Express is looking at increasing this year.
The new major contract will ultimately support local jobs, training and manufacturing across the area.
With a heavy focus on grassroots staff, Express Coach Builders is being supported by local partners like Volvo Bus Australia which has been facilitating hands-on training for current staff at the Macksville facility.
“At Volvo Bus Australia, we have been supplying the NSW bus market now for 51 years. In fact, there are over 4,000 Volvo buses active in the NSW contracted bus fleet today,” explained David Mead, vice president Volvo Bus Asia Pacific Region.
“These buses are supported each and every day by a significant workforce located in Western and South Western Sydney, the Hunter Valley and service sites across the state,” he added.
REGIONAL CHALLENGES
Having supported the NSW bus market for more than five decades, creating local jobs has been a key part of Volvo Bus Australia’s success, with the business currently employing thousands across NSW in multiple VCV dealerships, as well as the Minto parts centre in Western Sydney, the company confirms.
These local jobs that have ultimately supported the efforts of Volvo Bus in Australia in enabling the company to mark its 12th year of consecutive leadership in Australia, with significant sales in NSW – and placing Volvo as the only premium European OEM with an electric offering that is ready for local body build and delivery in 2022, it states.
Given Volvo’s long-term partnership with Buslines and the expected outcomes of the contract with Express Coach Builders, it is no surprise that Volvo Bus Australia is thrilled to be supporting such a key initiative for regional NSW, it says.
“Having worked alongside our valued customer Buslines for more than 20 years, it is just fantastic to see us continuing to service Buslines in partnership with Express Coach Builders, as part of the new body-build contract,” said Mitch Peden, general manager Volvo Bus Australia.
“It’s certainly been a challenging time for regional NSW manufacturing with recent skill shortages and it is wonderful to see our partner Express Coach Builders getting the boost it needs to excel its operations and support local workers and the industry,” he stated.
“With Express planning on expanding its apprenticeship program and upskilling staff, we are excited to see what comes ahead for the business and the positive impact this will have on manufacturing and job creation in regional NSW.”
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ABOUT ECB
Starting from a small shed in the New South Wales town of Macksville in 1995, Express Coach Builders started with a small team of six employees that produced 20 buses per year, it states.
Having moved to larger, custom-built premises in 2014, today ECB sees up to 75 prestige vehicles roll through its production line. What starts as a simple chassis becomes a made-to-order product of the highest calibre, completed with the distinction and superior compliance guidelines that Express is known and respected for throughout the industry, it says.
With a team of 75-plus highly skilled tradesmen, assistants, apprentices and administrators, an Express Coach Builders bus or coach is built with integrity and passion, providing customers throughout Australia with the most superior vehicle in the market, it explains.
ABOUT BUSLINES
The original company was founded on 25 March, 1926, by John Alan Gilbert and began bus operations under the name of John A Gilbert Pty Limited in 1938. In 1943 John A Gilbert acquired Tamworth’s bus services and in 1944, Berrima and Orange joined the group. Today, the company, known as Buslines Group Pty Limited, has its Head Office in Burwood, NSW, and operates bus services in and around Ballina, Bathurst, Berrima, Dubbo, Forster, Griffith, Lithgow, Kandos/Rylestone, Northern Rivers, Orange, Tamworth and Wingham areas, it states. Commencing in 2007 the company successfully operates taxis in the Griffith and Dubbo areas, it adds.
Photography: courtesy Volvo Bus Australia