DANIEL JENNINGS NAMED PACCAR AUSTRALIA’S KENWORTH TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR 2025

From a shortlist of five KENWORTH Technicians across Australia, Daniel Jennings of CJD Kenworth DAF Perth was named 2025 PACCAR Australia’s KENWORTH Technician of the Year.

The search for this year’s Technician of the Year began last October.

All Service Technicians from Kenworth dealerships across Australia were invited to participate in the competition, which aimed to recognise and reward the best of the best.

The event consisted of four theoretical assessments measuring technical skills, product knowledge, engine and driveline expertise and professionalism.

The finalists were,
Daniel Jennings from CJD Kenworth DAF Perth in first place,
Oliver Maher from Brown & Hurley Kenworth DAF Darra in second place,
Thomas Whittaker from Kenworth DAF Adelaide in third place,
Jy Kruwinnus from Kenworth Brown & Hurley DAF Darra in fourth place,
Ben Crawford from Kenworth DAF Adelaide in fifth place.

The finals were held over a full day on Friday 21st March 2025 at PACCAR Australia’s Bayswater manufacturing plant. There were five practical tests that were a combination of electrical, mechanical and system testing.

The finalists received over $30,000 worth of prizes at a celebratory awards dinner, including a voucher for a selection of tools vital to the job.

Technicians completed the range of assessments under pressure and scrutiny not unlike the demands of a busy service department, showcasing their diagnostic expertise, practical knowledge and product experience.

Damian Smethurst, Managing Director PACCAR Australia, Steven Tomaro, After Sales Manager PACCAR Australia and Andy Paterson, Technical Trainer PACCAR Australia presented the 2025 KENWORTH Technician of the Year award to Daniel Jennings congratulating him on his win and performance on the day.

Damian commented “Daniel’s assessment today was outstanding. Congratulations to him on a well-deserved win.

Also well done to all the finalists who made it here today. The testing up to and throughout the finals proves that the skill and experience of PACCAR Technicians are the best of the best in the industry. It showcases as a group, the strength of the Dealership network. Customers experience only the highest calibre of technical expertise and support when their trucks are serviced at a Kenworth Dealership.”

General Manger Dean O’Reilly said “This is a magnificent achievement for Daniel and really shows what hard work and dedication can achieve. To be the number one technician for the Kenworth brand Australia wide is simply outstanding”.

Daniel said, “I really wanted to do better than last time, so I am absolutely delighted with the result. The competition from the other finalists was very strong. In a couple of the tests I felt that I had to keep pushing and stay focused to make sure I could complete the task in time. I’m a very, very happy man”.