Livestock and bulk transport group is now receiving nominations for its inaugural Young Driver Award.
The body representing the livestock and bulk transport sectors has launched a new award to recognise young emerging stars and encourage them to build a career in the trucking industry.
The Livestock and Bulk Carriers Association (LBCA) will use its 2015 annual conference to crown the inaugural winner of the Young Driver Award.
Nominations are now open and will close on January 9, with the winner receiving a $5,000 trip to the US.
LBCA general manager Bianca Brownlow says LBCA members had been mulling the creation of an award for some time.
“One of the [reasons] is definitely around retention, giving our young people a reason to stay in our industry. Hopefully by encouraging [them] and showing recognition, we are going to able to encourage them to stay in the industry,” Brownlow says.
“The other is to highlight what best practice and a good attitude looks like and showcase what it means to be a good operator in the rural transport industry.
“We do hope we can highlight rural transport as a good career option for young people.”
Brownlow says the LBCA hopes the award will promote the positive aspects of the indsutry to counter the negative stereotypes sometimes associated with it.
Nominees must be aged between 21 and 35 years and complete a series of criteria during the application process. The nomination forms are available from the LBCA.
The finalists will be whittled down to three, with the winner announced during the LBCA conference at Jindabyne in New South Wales on March 6 and 7.
“The LBCA Young Driver Award recognises our top young drivers and showcases their commitment to safety and best practice. It’s something we should all strive for and be proud of,” LBCA president Jock Carter says.
The federal Bureau of Transport, Infrastructure and Regional Economics (BITRE) says almost half of workers in the transport, postal and warehousing industry are older than 45 years.
It says workers older than 54 make up 18 per cent of the workforce.