The QTA is celebrating after the state approved the apprenticeship program to attract new truck drivers into the industry
Queensland’s transport industry is set to receive a major boost as the state has approved the heavy vehicle driver apprenticeship program.
The Queensland Trucking Association (QTA), as the Industry Skills Advisor for transport and logistics in Queensland, says that the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT) has approved the industry proposal requesting the establishment of a Heavy Vehicle Driver Apprenticeship in Queensland.
The industry proposal was developed by the QTA on behalf of industry and received widespread support gained through extensive consultation with employers, drivers, and industry stakeholders.
“The Heavy Vehicle Driving Apprenticeship is a long-awaited recognition of the level of skill truck drivers require and must develop to be a safe and competent operator,” QTA CEO Gary Mahon says.
“This is a significant step towards sustaining the future workforce in the road freight industry with truck driving now offered as a professional trade.”
The apprenticeship will add to other workforce attraction strategies that are needed to solve the labour shortage in the road freight industry.
The QTA Jobs Ready Program, if funded, will provide an injection of truck drivers into the sector that is suffering from a lack of drivers with an appropriate level of experience.
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John West Logistics managing director John West says: “This is a great day for the transport logistics industry in Queensland. After many years of lobbying both federal and asste governments by industry and private operators the announcement of an apprenticeship scheme for our industry will help raise the levels of safety and skills in this vital industry segment.”
“Workers in the road freight industry are essential to the success of this country and they should be recognised as essential workers. They have proved this beyond doubt over the past few years assisting the country through the COVID crisis. We are ready to start new entrants now.”
The apprenticeship will attract funding subsidies under the User Choice Program to assist with training costs however a co-contribution towards the training will be required.
The QTA will continue to lobby for heavy vehicle driver occupations to be included on the National Skill’s Commission Skill Priority List.
This announcement now provides employers an additional workforce attraction strategy to start managing the ongoing challenges of driver recruitment and growing the workforce.