|
More training needed for transport industry
The Transport Workers Union has today called for greater investment in the transport
industry. There is a need to provide a national safety and training program in order to
encourage more drivers into the industry.
The tightening of the market currently being experienced within the road transport
sector of the industry needs urgent attention and a national approach to finding practical
solutions from both industry and government.
TWU National Secretary Tony Sheldon: “We need to improve training, safety and rates
of pay across the road transport sector to encourage young people to enter our industry
and to retain drivers.”
According to statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the average weekly
earnings in the road transport sector decreased by 5.6% in 2007, driven down by the
non-unionised areas of the industry. This is in contrast to union rates which will increase
by 4% each year over 3 years.
Research also suggests that the current training provided under policies of the previous
Federal Government in the road transport industry are inadequate.
It is estimated that between 80-90% of all training that is conducted in road transport is
actually of existing workers already qualified and licenced to drive heavy vehicles. In
2006 the Federal Government spent at least $34 million on training incentives, none of
which has gone towards training and licensing the next generation of truck driver.*
“There needs to be a national tripartite safety and enforcement program made up of
union, industry and government representatives to ensure that the horror injury and
fatality statistics currently seen in our industry improve”, Mr Sheldon said.
“We cannot expect young people to enter our industry if they cannot guarantee that they
will return home to their families after work each night.”
In 2006-2007 alone, there were 228 needless fatalities as a direct result of heavy
vehicle incidents on our roads.
Tony Sheldon: “If there is going to be long term changes to improve the road transport
sector and to encourage new drivers then investment needs to occur now.”
* Source: Workforce Challenges in Road Transport: Truck Driver Recruitment,
Retention and Retirement Research Project, Globe Workplace, January 2007
Media Inquiries Josh McIntosh 0408 463 199.
29 April 2008
|
