Hayley Macleod: Pushing Boundaries and Setting the Standard

November 14, 2025

When Hayley Macleod first walked through the doors at Westar Trucks in March last year, she had never even sat in a truck before. Less than two years later, she has been nominated for Kangan Institute’s 2025 Apprentice of the Year in Auto Parts, a remarkable milestone for someone who entered the industry completely fresh.

But this recognition did not just appear. It is the result of Hayley’s hard work, determination, and her commitment to learning everything she could about the world of automotive parts.

Hayley began her Certificate III in Automotive Parts and Sales at Kangan in August last year. The course is designed to take three years, and she completed it in one, which is an outstanding achievement.

“I went to Kangan once a month, three days a week,” Hayley says. “The course load worked well for me. I just wanted to finish strong and prove to myself that I could do it.”

Her efforts did not go unnoticed. Her instructor praised her work ethic and quality of work, noting that she finished in the top 10 percent of her cohort. “Hayley is the type of student I give directions to where required, and she takes them onboard and gets it done with minimal follow up.”

For Hayley, her biggest learning came from being hands-on at Westar. “I started fresh. I didn’t know anything about trucks, and now I can talk parts, systems, and components confidently,” she says.

She credits much of that progression to her mentor, Assistant Parts Manager, Darren Rimmer. “Darren pushes me to stay calm and always reminds me to come to him if I need help. He has been an incredible mentor.”

Beyond the technical training, Hayley says it is the people at Westar who have made the experience truly meaningful. “My favorite thing about Westar is the team,” she says with a smile. “It genuinely feels like working with family who support me every step of the way. Everyone is there to help and they have all played such a big part in helping me grow.”

When asked what advice she would give to other apprentices starting their journey, Hayley is clear: “Invest in your colleagues as much as they invest in you. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the people around me. It’s a team effort.”

Now, with her qualification complete and an award nomination to her name, Hayley is focused on continuing to grow and contribute to the Westar team. Her journey illustrates what’s possible when hard work meets the right support network.

As the Kangan Apprentice Awards approach in early 2026, the entire Westar family could not be prouder to see Hayley’s achievements recognised on a bigger stage.