SA Freight Council labels Road Ahead tour a 'success' and urges greater efforts to attract young people to the industry
May 18, 2010
The South Australian Freight Council will push for government cooperation to develop solutions to attract young people to the transport and logistics industry.
The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) recently finished its three-week tour of more than 30 South Australian secondary schools to educate students about careers in transport and logistics and how to act around trucks while on the road.
Freight Council Chairman John McArdle says the organisation received positive feedback from the students and teachers about the tour.
“And following its success, the SA Freight Council welcomes working with the federal and state governments to develop and nurture future industry strategies,” McArdle says.
“This particularly includes undoing choke points relating to the age restrictions and insurance imposts that preclude young people from gaining early entry into the industry.”
About 1500 secondary school students were given an insight into the trucking industry from the ATA’s mobile education unit, The Road Ahead.
The vehicle is fitted with interactive displays and educational games to highlight the importance of road safety and careers in the transport industry.
“Many students hadn’t considered employment in our industry because they didn’t truly appreciate its diversity,” McArdle says
He says students now have a clearer picture of careers in the industry and the Road Ahead is an important initiative in attracting young people.
“As an industry vital to the economic development of this country, we recognise that we must do more to attract people to the national transport and logistics industry,” he says.