Over to you WESTERN ROADS FEDERATION by Cam Dumesny, CEO
L-r Sarissa White and Joanne Ford in Dampier
Addressing the skills shortage WA’s Heavy Vehicle Driving Operations Skill Set
T
he Heavy Vehicle (HV) driver training program is designed to target a cross section of the current and potential workforce, to attract, train and recruit drivers to support the growing demand across multiple industry sectors in Western Australia. An integral component of the initiatives is to promote Industry engagement and active participation from prospective employers with Industry mentors providing a holistic view of the career opportunities available because of the new or improved
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WATM • January/February 2022
skills attained through the course. The program trains drivers to be licensed and job ready for recruitment directly into the industry. The course provides participants with an extensive tool kit of skills and knowledge, whilst delivering real hands-on experience and practical hours as detailed below. • 18 units drawn from Cert III in Driving Operations • Hands on training in work environments
• Driving simulations in state-of-theart facilities • 10-15 practical hours driving in Heavy Haulage Vehicles with assigned Mentors and Trainers. • Heavy Rigid (HR) and Forklift licence included. • Upgrading from HR to Heavy Combination (HC) and Multi Combinations (MC) licences. The drive for a more efficient and effective logistics industry as detailed in the National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy will require participants to be trained to adapt to new technologies, changing infrastructure and more complex processes. This effort requires a joint co-ordinated approach between all stakeholders with training as a building block for the success. The creation of this program, delivering broad scope training applicable to drivers no matter the specialised area they are ultimately engaged in is designed to assist in the development of a skilled and adaptable workforce to support a growing demand from consumers and a community expectation that services will be provided in a safe and sustainable manner. Collaboration between operators, government agencies, training providers, industry groups, project owners, EPC’s and the wider community is continuing to develop and is essential to ensure the goals are met. Many of the transport operators have been working hard to develop their own internal programs to attract, train and retain talent and it has become obvious, through the Western Roads Federation industry engagement, that working in tandem and making candidates available to these programs who have achieve a known level of competency in the initial program has gained a much higher level of industry acceptance and support for the program than has been achieved previously. The program is built to deliver Industry with drivers, trained in safe and responsible vehicle operations ready to actively fill the growing demand in both metropolitan and regional areas. Attracting new entrants to the industry and focusing on the benefits of employment in a safely operated and managed industry capable of providing long term sustainable employment continues to be a cornerstone of the program and our primary aim. Success stories abound with many
