Logistics News

Skill shortage spurs $1 million package

A skill shortage in the transport, logistics and supply chain sector has spurred a $1 million funding package

June 8, 2012

A skill shortage in the transport, logistics and supply chain sector has spurred a $1 million skills package to train 400 heavy vehicle drivers across Queensland.

As part of the Transition 2012 program, a Transport Department and Skills Queensland joint-initiative, training for 200 HR licences and 200 MC licences will be funded, with offers to be made today to five Registered Training Organisations to deliver the program.

Queensland Trucking Association CEO Peter Garske says
the program
shows partnership between government and industry.

“This industry program is delivered by Transport and Main Roads with leadership from the Transport and Logistics Workforce Advisory Group Queensland (TLWAG-Q) made up of representatives from industry, government and Skills Queensland,” Garske says.

“The Transition program is a great outcome of the TLWAG-Q partnership which aims to develop sustainable solutions for skills shortages in the industry.”

Starting in early July, the program will train participants in a nationally accredited and industry endorsed skills set with courses offered across three areas: bus driving licences, truck driving licences and multi-combination licence upgrades.

According to the Transport Department, training will be delivered across Queensland in metropolitan and regional locations based on industry demand.

Places for new entrants will be fully funded while existing worker licence upgrades will attract a 15 percent contribution.

According to government statistics, Queensland’s transport, logistics and supply chain contributed 18.6 percent to Gross State Product, about $15.8 billion.

Australia’s freight task in 2020 is estimated to be double that of 2006.

The program was developed in response to requests from peak industry bodies (the Queensland Trucking Association and the Queensland Bus Industry Council) for government to assist in the development of more skilled workers for the transport, logistics and supply chain industry.

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