The Beginning
I started my apprenticeship in 1986 as a vehicle body builder and 4 years later was qualified as a 1st Class Vehicle Body Builder. Then for the next 20 years, I broadened my experience working at a variety of different specialist body builders. These included building buses, fire trucks, armour trucks, motorhomes and campervan conversions to name a few.
Background
I always wanted to be a business owner, mainly due to my family owning small businesses while I was growing up. But sometimes we all have to do what we need to do at the time. So life, children and financial commitments all took a priority. And as a single parent meant that I chose security and stability first for these early years. But the desire never disappeared.
The Pivot
I was forced after a work injury to reconsider my future and field of employment. So as a result I retrained in the area of Financial Services and received a Diploma of Financial Services. However, the stretch from my background to break into the financial services proved to be a bridge too far. So I moved into the office where I was employed as an Engineering Controller, for a truck engineering business.
The Rebirth
From here I was asked to join a vehicle certifying company as Assistant Engineer. The founder and the senior engineer were fantastic mentors and shared their vast knowledge. This is where I learnt the compliance and regulations side of vehicle modifications.
After a brief project overseas involved in manufacturing 4wd buses, I returned to Australia to start my own business. Operating as a sole trader providing vehicle certifications and modifications approvals. I was also completing a Diploma in Engineering Technology at the same time.
Nowadays
I am the founder and managing director of Commercial Vehicle Compliance Pty. Ltd. We have a small team of Engineers and support staff, with operations based in the south-east of Melbourne, Australia.
Currently licensed as,
- Approve Vehicle Examiner
- Victorian VASS Signatory
- NSW Vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Scheme (VSCCS) Licensed certifier
- QLD Approved Person
- Agent for Road Vehicle Certification Scheme
Related Items
Commercial Vehicle Compliance owns and operators All4RVs and Estraints.
All4RVs is a place to come for all things related to all types of RVs.
Estraints is an online calculator for wheelchair tie-downs and occupants restraints systems and guidance on wheelchair vehicle Standards.
