Finding and supporting our industry’s future leaders
Business is changing fast, and the Australian trucking industry is determined to stay ahead of this constant “white-water”.
Issues facing industry aren’t the same as they were 20 years ago and operators must change to keep up with technological, social and political disruption. To address these challenges, our industry is investing in a new generation of leaders.
Proudly partnering with Daimler Truck and Bus Australia Pacific, the Australian Trucking Association has delivered a program that nurtures the development of Australia’s transport industry leaders: the 2019 Daimler Truck and Bus Future Leaders’ Forum.
The career-defining professional development program was delivered to 14 people representing Daimler, ATA member associations and the ATA’s safety accreditation scheme, TruckSafe.
The 2019 leaders come from a range of backgrounds and roles including business analytics, driver training, logistics, and compliance and finance, representing the various aspects of the transport industry.
In November 2018, the Daimler Future Leaders gathered in Canberra to take part in two days of intensive workshops and lobbying meetings with Federal politicians at Parliament House.
The program was enhanced by the professional services and input of expert mentors in the policy, communications and leadership fields.
Read about how the Daimler Future Leaders fared in Canberra, here
Head of the School of Politics and International Relations at the Australian National University Dr Andrew Banfield joined participants to provide an overview of government and the industry landscape before the leaders sat in on Senate Question Time, had a formal lunch with Senator Jim Molan and held lobbying meetings with members of the coalition and opposition parties.
The time at Parliament House was invaluable.
The Daimler Future Leaders used the lobbying meetings as a chance to discuss key industry issues of autonomous emergency braking, truck driver licensing and fuel emergency legislation. As a result of these meetings, the ATA was then invited to appear at a Senate committee hearing to dive deeper into these issues.
As the Australian trucking industry evolves, so will our leaders. A real highlight for the group was a presentation by Commodore Robert Morrison who shared his perspective of leading the HMAS Manoora’s challenging voyage to Nauru, and the leadership tips he developed throughout his career.
To equip the leaders with the skills needed to represent the industry and articulate their messages, well-known journalist and communications expert Anne Fulwood provided media and communications training, as well as one-on-one interview mentorship. These skills will enable our Future Leaders to represent themselves, their businesses and the industry professionally and confidently.
As part of the program each leader has commenced work on a specialised project that focuses on a key industry issue. Some of these projects explore ecommerce, driver training and retention, industry attraction, succession planning, compliance, and implementation of technology systems.
These projects were given a kick-start with the help of CEO of Wisdom Learning Rod Hattch. Rod provided insight into project management, how to apply contemporary leadership skills and how to overcome project challenges and barriers.
Over the coming months the leaders will work to refine their projects before presenting at the ATA’s Trucking Australia conference in April 2019.
I was impressed by the passion each leader displayed during their time in Canberra and the commitment to ensure the trucking industry remains sustainable, professional and viable. I look forward to the outcomes of each project and delving further into each at the conference.
Trucking Australia 2019 is an amazing opportunity for the Daimler Future Leaders to share their projects and insight with the wider trucking industry and gain valuable feedback. This is their chance to discuss the challenges we all face as an industry and be supported in their endeavours to make a difference.
Held in Perth from 3–5 April, Trucking Australia 2019 is a chance to discover how Western Australian trucking differs from the rest of the country, build professional networks, celebrate industry excellence and join the discussion on important issues we are all facing such as truck driver licensing, heavy vehicle rest areas and regulation changes.
This is your chance to join the nation’s trucking operators and industry stakeholders as we
tackle the big issues – together.
Register for Trucking Australia 2019 now to take advantage of discounted airfares and accommodation. Head to www.truckingaustralia.com.au for more information.