Clark says Youth Jobs PaTH program is poised to tackle industry’s worker shortage problem
The National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) is supporting the federal youth employment scheme in order to encourage young people into the trucking industry.
Announced in the 2016-17 Budget, the $760 million Youth Jobs PaTH (Prepare-Trial-Hire) program promotes training and recruitment of young Australians into various industries, including road transport.
NatRoad has initiated a live trial of the PaTH program in two major road transport companies in Sydney and Melbourne.
“With the average age of an Australian Truck driver at 53 years, if the industry does not address the issues attracting youth to the industry, we’re on the brink of an employment crisis,” NatRoad CEO Warren Clark says.
“We have already seen a driver shortage in many areas across the country, including the recent problems in New South Wales’ Hunter Valley.”
‘Win-win’ situation for industry
Clark says NatRoad is pleased to be working the Department of Employment to offer a “practical, low-risk solution” to the industry’s employment problem.
“The PaTH program is a win-win solution for the industry, and young people alike,” Clark says.
“It will open doors for young people looking for a long-term, sustainable career in trucking.
“We encourage Road Transport businesses of all size to consider taking part in the program.
“There are many senior managers and drivers across Australia who started out in trainee positions and worked hard to build successful careers.
“The drivers of tomorrow will be starting in the industry today in entry-level roles such as yard stuff, packers and administrative roles.”
Clark says NatRoad aims to make young people aware of how viable transport is as a career choice.
“If they don’t know it’s there as a career path, they aren’t going to get involved in it.
“We’re a serious industry with a lot of professional paths and the opportunities are there for younger people, we just need to open the pathways of communication.
“I think the big thing is, we need to invest in young people.”
How does Youth Jobs PaTH work?
The scheme includes three elements:
Prepare – employability skills training to help young people better understand what employers expect of them in the workplace and equip them with the skills, attitude and behaviours for them to be successful in a job.
Trial – an internship for a period of between 4 to 12 weeks.
Hire – a youth bonus wage subsidy of up to $10,000 to help more businesses hire young people.
Under the scheme, businesses can train an intern (aged between 17-24 years) for a period of 4-12 weeks.
The internship, which is designed as a pathway into the trucking industry, is a low-risk way for the employer to test the skills of an intern before taking them on as an employee.
If a candidate is taken on for a period of six months or more in a full time, part time or casual position, it entitles the business to receive an incentive of $6,500 -$10,000 at the end of the trial period.
“The Youth Jobs PaTH program is delivering significant outcomes by getting young people off welfare, into work and ensuring they are positive contributors to the economy and their local community,” federal employment minister Michaelia Cash says.
“We recognise that the best way to do this [help young Australians get off welfare and into work] is to build a strong economy that enables employers to be more productive, competitive and innovative and to create more job opportunities.”
Road transport businesses interested in taking part in the PaTH program can contact NatRoad on 1800 272 144 or info@natroad.com.au.