APT wasn’t born from a boardroom or a business plan. It started on the tools.

In the early 2000s, founder Al Probert kept getting the same request not to consult, not to fix, but to teach. Engineers, tradies, and site supervisors were looking for something that didn’t exist at the time: a way to properly learn how to design, troubleshoot, and install hydraulic systems in the real world.

So Al did what any good tradesman does. He built it himself.

It wasn’t easy. 

The first training rig was thrown together at Angus Place from scratch, with dodgy flow rates, misprinted books, and a last-minute swap to a log splitter power pack. 

But it worked. 

And it taught us something that still drives APT today, when there’s a gap, you fill it. When something needs doing, you make it happen.

Real Problems, Real Training

APT was never just about theory. From day one, we knew this had to be hands-on. 

That’s why our training has always focused on real systems, practical problem-solving, and making sure students walk away knowing how, not just what.

One of the early wins we still talk about is diagnosing a five-year overheating issue on the dredge Machiavelli in Newcastle. No schematics, no manual, just process, experience, and trust in the training. We found a one-in-a-million pump design flaw. That job shaped how we troubleshoot to this day.

And then there are the stories that remind us why we do this. Like Cal, a student who completed a few days of APT training and went back to site. When a machine faulted, he pulled out the schematic, nailed the diagnosis, and saved 24 hours of downtime. 

The shift from “I’m not sure” to “I’ve got this” is what we’re here for.

How the Industry’s Evolved and How We’ve Grown With It

The physics of hydraulics haven’t changed. But the tech around it has.

Tradies today aren’t just dealing with pumps and hoses. They’re working with sensors, PLCs, integrated control systems, and smarter machines that require a whole new level of understanding. To stay effective, you need to know both the hydraulic side and the digital logic that controls it.

APT has evolved alongside those changes. 

From whiteboards and software simulations to a 1,200sqm practical training facility, mobile rigs, and blended learning options, our methods have changed, but our mission hasn’t. And soon, we’re launching Pandora, a mobile, scalable training platform designed to deliver full-scale prac training on-site, anywhere in Australia.

Growth That Stays Grounded

We’ve worked with some of the biggest names in the industry: BHP, Glencore, Komatsu but it’s never been about status. Those partnerships helped validate what we do and pushed us to keep refining our approach. They’ve also reminded us to stay honest, stay sharp, and keep the training relevant to the work actually happening on site.

Along the way, we’ve also learned a few lessons:

• Keep it simple
• Don’t rush good training
• Document everything (especially when oil is involved)

We’ve made mistakes. We’ve cleaned up messes. We’ve figured it out one component at a time, and used every bit of that experience to make our training better.

Looking Ahead

The next chapter is all about reach.

We’re focused on getting high-quality, hands-on training into more regional and remote areas, expanding our short courses, and building tailored programs that match real roles and machinery. 

Pandora is a big part of that giving teams the ability to train on their own turf, without the downtime or travel.

We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel. We’re just making it roll a little smoother  with better access, smarter delivery, and real skills that stick.

And while we’re proud of the tools, kits, and course materials, what we’re most proud of is the change we see in people. When a tradie walks in thinking “I’ve always just copied the last bloke” and walks out saying “I get it now”  that’s the ripple we’re trying to create.

21 Years In And Still Just Getting Started

What keeps us going isn’t just hydraulics. It’s people.

It’s the lightbulb moment when a student suddenly gets it. It’s the messages we get from people who’ve gone back to work with more confidence. It’s the safety wins, the fault-finding saves, and the ripple effects that flow through crews, sites, and industries.

APT has never been about showing the perfect answer. 

It’s about teaching the process, embracing the messy bits, and delivering training that makes sense in the real world.

We’re not just building skills. We’re building careers, shaping culture, and creating safer, smarter, more capable worksites.