Starting on the Spanners: Where A Trade Can Take You

In our Starting on the Spanners series, we highlight the diverse and often unexpected career paths that begin with a set of tools and a willingness to learn. 

This time, we speak with Brett Stewart, Head of Aftersales at Isuzu Australia, whose passion for pulling things apart began at his grandfather’s side and grew into a career spanning workshops, fleets, OEM support, and international travel. 

From sweeping floors to working alongside engineers in Japan and attending global industry conferences, Brett’s story is a powerful reminder that a trade is not a destination, but a foundation. 

Q: Was there a moment early on that sparked your interest in mechanics? 

It probably started with my grandfather. He was one of those old-school fix-it guys at the local council. Drills, mowers, chainsaws, power tools, you name it, there wasn’t much he couldn’t fix. 

Whenever I was around him, we were pulling things apart and putting them back together. I just loved understanding how things worked and then getting them running again. 

As I got older, that turned into cars. I had a Holden HJ Ute back in the day, and he helped me rebuild it, engine and all. That really set the direction for me and led me to chase an apprenticeship as a mechanic.

Q: Where did your career officially begin? 

Getting an apprenticeship wasn’t easy at the time. Eventually, a traineeship opened up at Ford Motor Company in Geelong, and I jumped at it. 

The program was fantastic. It exposed you to electronics, engineering, fitting and turning, and really gave you a taste of the different pathways available within the industry. 

During that time, a position opened up at Colin Kerr Ford, just across the road from the factory. I applied, got the job, and that’s where my hands-on career really started, working on the car side of the business. 

Even then, I always had a passion for trucks. One of my work experience stints at school was in the Ford truck workshop in Geelong. Funny enough, the person who signed off that work experience was a bloke by the name of Leigh McConachy, who’s now our Victorian Zone Service Business Manager at Isuzu. It really is a small industry.

Q: What drew you from cars into the truck industry? 

The car dealership world wasn’t quite what I was chasing. There was a lot of rattles, squeaks, and water leaks, and not as much of the heavy mechanical work I enjoyed. 

I wanted to be elbow-deep in engines and transmissions. So, I expanded my apprenticeship to include diesel, and once I had those qualifications, I moved into the truck space. 

That led me to Colrain Truck Repairs, and from there, my career in the truck industry really took off. 

Q: Were there mentors who shaped your approach along the way? 

I’ve been lucky to have some great managers over the years. One piece of advice that really stuck with me was to always stretch yourself. 

Don’t apply for roles you can already do with your eyes closed. You should be stepping into positions that challenge you, keep you learning, and keep you excited. 

People like Rodney Cusack, who I worked with in Queensland, and Paul Koch at Colrain Truck Repairs had a big influence on me. The truck industry is small, everyone knows everyone, and your reputation matters. 

If you work hard and do the right thing, it opens doors. I spent time managing workshops, managing technicians, and later managing a large transport fleet running up and down the east coast. That experience taught me what it really takes to keep vehicles moving and customers operating. 

Q: How did that experience lead you to Isuzu? 

Managing that fleet gave me the confidence to take the next step.  

A Technical Support Consultant role opened up at Isuzu, supporting the dealer network, and I went for it. 

I spent about a year in that role before moving into National Field Operations, and then around six years ago, I stepped into the National Service Manager role. Each step built on the last. 

Q: What advice would you give to young people entering the industry today? 

There have never been more opportunities for qualified tradespeople than there are right now.  

The skills shortage is real, and if you’re qualified, you’ll never be looking for work. 

If you love being on the tools and want to stay there your whole career, that’s a fantastic choice. But what isn’t always talked about are the opportunities beyond the workshop. 

There are roles in fleet management, dealerships, OEMs, technical support, and leadership. There’s always another challenge if you’re willing to take it on. 

Work hard, put the effort in, and when opportunities come up, grab them with both hands. You never know where they’ll lead.

Q: Where has the industry taken you personally? 

Honestly, I never imagined this. As an apprentice pushing a broom around the workshop floor, I never thought I’d be travelling to Japan to work with a world-leading truck OEM or heading to the US to attend global industry conferences. 

I’m currently at the National Automotive Dealer Association conference in Las Vegas, and hearing about what’s coming with EVs and emissions technology is incredibly exciting. It’s a great time to be in the industry. 

Q: Finally, what does your team’s journey say about the industry as a whole? 

Our aftersales team has around 38 people in it now and more than half of them started on the workshop floor. 

They’ve gone on to build incredible careers, travelling internationally, working directly with engineers, and shaping the future of the product and the business. 

We need young people coming through the industry now more than ever. Skilled, motivated technicians are critical to our future, to our brand, and to our customers. 

This industry offers real careers, real growth, and real opportunities if you’re willing to put the work in. 

Want to check out some other career journeys? Check out this blog on Isuzu’s Glenn ‘Jonsey’ Jones.