The transport industry’s employee recruitment problem needs to be hit at its core according to recent Australian Trucking Association board appointee Ann Lopez, who believes greater engagement with schools could hold the key to inspiring the next generation of transport professionals.
In another world Lopez would be lost to the transport industry. After initially practicing as a teacher shifted careers 30 years ago, and she has since become a key figure in the New South Wales transport landscape through roles with Road Freight NSW, Transport Women Australia (TWA) and now, the ATA.
She chipped in to help with the family business while seven months pregnant and simply “forgot to go back to teaching”. Since then, she’s never looked back.
Lopez is now the co-owner of Sydney-based company Lopez Brothers Transport alongside her husband, Phil. The pair have helped see the company reach new heights since the turn of the decade following its initial foundation by Phil’s father Jack and uncle Felix in 1929.
Plenty has changed since Lopez Brothers’ first foray into the transport industry almost a century ago though, and the industry is facing an unprecedented recruitment and retention crisis that will only continue to make its presence felt as the current generation of drivers continues to age out.
A recent report from NatRoad found the average age of an Australian truckie is 49 years old, with half of drivers being aged 55 or over.
Conversely, just 5.2 per cent of drivers are under the age of 25 and just 6.5 per cent are women.
Although it is more than possible for people to pivot careers into the transport industry – and Lopez is a prime example of the success to be found in that space – she believes the de-stigmatising of the industry at an educational level holds the key to repopulating the sector with young, hungry, hard-working individuals.
“Finding people to come into the industry is a real challenge, and it has been for the past 20 years or so,” Lopez tells ATN. “There’s been a huge push at making tertiary education more accessible which is great, but it’s often been at the expense of trade careers.
“That’s not only for the trucking and transport industry, but a lot of other trades are also now struggling.
“Because trades are a manual, hands-on job, they’re often not overly well regarded. Parents aspire for what is best for their kids, and there’s a caution around considering careers in our industry because it’s not perceived as being glamourous or aspirational.
“But it really could be, because there are just so many opportunities.
“TWA is doing some exceptional work at getting out to schools and connecting with young people to let them know all about the different opportunities the transport and logistics industry offers, but it’s going to take a while to get that message across.
“In the meantime, you’re missing out on those young people. There’s all this talk about the ‘Tik Tok generation’ who want a quick fix and a fast track to money, which can make it harder to recruit people when they have to put their shoulder to the wheel, so to speak.
“But there are some great kids out there that, given the opportunity and the knowledge, can go and do great things.”
The Queensland Trucking Association’s recent announcement of the Driving Townsville’s Future program is a prime example of a multi-faceted approach to recruiting new faces to the transport industry.
Of the 20 people selected for the program 10 have no connection to the industry and are looking to break in. The other 10 may be working in unskilled or entry level roles and looking for new opportunities to upskill or progress their careers long-term.
Given Australia’s current 26,000 driver shortfall, there will need to be innumerable programs like Driving Townsville’s Future to bring the industry back where it needs to be, and that, Lopez says, could start in Australia’s regions as long as they’re given the help they need.
“You often find the ones who are coming into the industry have already had some exposure to it,” Lopez continues.
“Perhaps they have family members involved, or they’re from regional towns or areas where you can just see the industry in action a bit more.
“Regional towns are crying out for support in engaging with young people for the industry.”
With its headquarters in Enfield, Sydney, Lopez Brothers is far from a regional company, however it has seen the benefits of that exposure to transport from a young age through the development of the family business’ next generation.
“We have one son that works with us. He’s our depot manager. He finished his diesel mechanic apprenticeship and joined us soon after,” Lopez says.
“Our other two kids have, at different times, worked for us but have chosen to explore their own careers. They’re both graphic designers, so it’s quite a different path they’re on.
“At various times they come back and help us though, and they understand the business. None of them can ever not know what a truck is, or what different components are.
“It’s just a part of who we all are. My family still teases me about my inability to pick a B-double from an A-double, or whatever combination you can pick. I will forever be tongue-tied and caught up.
“I can’t speak to the technical experience, but what I can do is give a voice to operators and their everyday struggles and challenges.”
How, then, can the transport industry buck its stereotypes to attract more young people into the industry?
Again, it goes back to engaging with schools.
Lopez believes it’s not just school children and other mouldable young people that need to be exposed to the modern-day realities of the opportunities that are available throughout transport industry. It’s the teachers, counsellors and other key decision-makers involved in the next generation’s day-to-day lives.
“If you talk to teachers and careers advisors, they’re not necessarily promoting these sorts of industries because it just doesn’t occur to them. It’s not in their lived experience and they have no exposure to the industry,” Lopez says.
“Careers and guidance counsellors are not necessarily advocating for our industry because they don’t know about it, and they could be holding onto incredibly clichéd stereotypes that are both damaging and just not true anymore.
“Trying to clear those stereotypes from peoples’ judgement is a challenge we perhaps need to address more.”
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