The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has officially recognised the skills of Australia’s truck drivers in the release of its new classification of occupations, known as the OSCA ratings.
OSCA classifications assign one of five ratings to occupations across Australia. Those classed as a level one need tertiary qualifications, while those classed as level five require school to have been finished.
Truck driving was previously classified as a level four qualification, which is the equivalent to a Certificate II or III, or one year of experience.
Now, however, a new occupation has been added – an articulated truck driver – which has been classified as a level three qualification, which is the same level as a trade qualified electrician or plumber.
Tanker truck driving is also recognised as a level three skill.
Despite the raising in classification for key road transport roles, truck driving still remains one of Australia’s most short-handed jobs, yet it has not been included on the recently released Skills in Demand visa list which was separately released late last week.
ATA CEO Mathew Munro says while the recognition of truck driving as a more involved skill is welcome, mechanisms need to be put into place that will attract more people into the sector both locally and from overseas.
“Our industry has always maintained that articulated truck driving is a skilled trade. The ABS’s decision has confirmed that view,” Munro says.
“In light of this decision, the government must now go back and address this glaring omission on the core skilled occupation list.
“Australia’s truck drivers deliver every item on the shelves of every supermarket, and we have a serious driver shortage right now. We simply cannot wait until the next scheduled revision of the list.
“Having said that, the ATA welcomes the inclusion of truck workshop staff like diesel mechanics and vehicle body builders in the list.”
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