Skilled Truckies At A Premium

Skilled Truckies At A Premium

Newcastle Herald

Friday March 2, 2007

AUSTRALIA was facing a critical shortage of truck drivers, Alltrans Training Services spokeswoman Michelle Matheson said.

"These drivers need specialist skills to move an ever-increasing amount of freight around Australia," she said.

"Some of those skills to operate a heavy vehicle include a knowledge of synchromesh/automatic gearboxes along with a knowledge of dangerous goods and fatigue management systems.

"And now there is a need to obtain an industry Blue Card."

Ms Matheson said a professional attitude was also a necessity.

"All that means finding drivers is becoming harder. Truck driving is now a career to the extent that a professional driver is highly regarded and can now earn near trade wages in the industry."

The industry also relies on people to load and unload the freight and manage warehouses.

"In those supporting roles employees need forklift licences, dangerous goods awareness, manual handling training and the Blue Card."

Alltrans Training at Heatherbrae has a facility dedicated to training for the transport industry, employing trainers with long-term industry experience. Many of the courses are tailored to suit the needs of coalmine sites.