Employers need to start targeting schools and offer traineeships to attract young people into the transport industry
By Ruza Zivkusic | September 14, 2011
Employers need to start targeting schools and offer traineeships to attract young people into the transport industry, attendees at Freight Week in Melbourne were told last week.
Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) industrial relations general manager Leyla Yilmaz spoke about employment and training initiatives, saying the industry is not as efficient at promoting career paths for young people as it could be.
And once they’re in the industry, employers need to work at keeping them there, she adds.
“Parents are a major influence – your image says a lot about the workplace,” Yilmaz says.
“They are a major barrier to young people choosing the trade, therefore our members need to be in tune to appeal themselves attractive and market their business.”
Yilmaz says the industry can improve it standing by offering an innovative recruitment process, improving its image, tapping into alternative sources of labour and keeping existing staff.
“Employers need to tap into kids at school, from year 8 to 10 and offer work experience,” she says.
Australian Employment Covenant (AEC) manager Justine Moss says hundreds of Australian companies have committed to creating 55,000 jobs for indigenous people but more could be done by the transport sector.
“Linfox have been the leaders, employing over 100 indigenous people in their business,” Moss says.
“The AEC was formed because far too many indigenous Australians remained disadvantaged and lacked the life opportunities that real employment could help provide. We only ask employers to provide jobs that are required to meet their organisational objectives – everyone wins with sustainable employment.”