Quotes like this are as applicable for business as they are sporting outfits because they infer that no matter how outstanding any one individual may be, if the whole team doesn’t perform, prosperity isn’t a given.
Teams require support from within to truly succeed and this is the philosophy underpinning industry-based training the VTA is embarking on with the Victorian Government.
Traditionally, the transport industry has adopted a ‘self-help’ approach to educating new participants because experience has been the key facilitator of good decision-making within a transport environment.
Sometimes this approach does not fulfil the expectations of the community and enforcement when working within a highly regulated environment. The transport industry needs people with knowledge and exposure to operational fundamentals, regulatory complexities and the ability to make immediate contributions as training progresses.
For this reason, the VTA is looking to develop a sustainable industry focused program that will enable new employees to gain the benefits that come from basic knowledge, prescribed direction and the skills to work effectively and safely within a transport and logistics operation from day one.
Key objectives include sourcing, attracting and retaining new employees into the transport industry; training and educating individuals to be ‘job-ready’ and fully conversant with the operational and regulatory responsibilities within the transport industry; defining and positioning the individuals into work and placement with transport companies; and mentoring the individuals through the associated transitional period and process.
Employers are mindful that a lack of skills has consequences that can impact their business in a number of ways. Businesses appreciate the increased workloads that result in plugging skill gaps with existing staff, and that it is more challenging to meet quality standards or innovate with new products and services. Many acknowledge they may lose business if skills gaps are not addressed.
In this light there is little need to convince employers about the importance of skills to remain competitive. However, potentially more focus is required to position training and recruitment as strategic solutions to current and future skills pressures which can impact on the whole business.
Through consultation with its members, and recognising the changing dynamics in the general workforce and the continuing increase in regulation and compliance standards for operators, we identified there would be more rapid uptake of new employees if training is more specific to the industry requirements and developed to accelerate competent new employees.
Through the existing VTA Academy, the VTA delivers specific vocational courses that improve the standards of productivity, safety and development of the individuals within a transport operational environment. Through the Industry introduction courses, we are looking to provide the transport industry with a focus on specific courses that create immediate positive benefits.
Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Australian Freight Industry Awards, who were recognised for their achievements at the annual Gala Presentation Dinner in front of over 700 members and representatives of our industry. VTA President, Brendan Hopley, and Victorian Roads Minister, Luke Donnellan, presented winners were with their award. The winners were Nationwide Towing & Transport for ‘Investment In People’; Kalari for ‘Best Practice Safety’; Fleet Effect for ‘Application of Technology’; Toxfree Australia and Toll Tasmania for Australian Transport & Logistics Waste; Eric Law of DP World Australia for ‘Young Achiever Of The Year’; and John Rowe of Victorian Freight Specialists for ‘Personality Of The Year’.
Once again, the VTA was overwhelmed with many high quality award applications and we congratulate every winner and nominee for their achievements.
We also thank the hundreds of members and industry representatives who attended in support of winners and our industry in general. This is a fantastic testament to how the transport industry supports its participants – especially during challenging times and softening in the economy.
There’s an expectation with the AFIAs of a wow factor and we always do our best to make sure guests get great value for money and leave feeling positive about our industry. I’m pleased that in 2016 we delivered this in spades.
