The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads has developed a pilot program called ‘Women take the Wheel’ to encourage women to get behind the wheel and pursue career opportunities in the transport, logistics and supply chain industry.
As part of the program, Strategix Training Group trained a 19 women, who were all successful in obtaining their HR licence.
Waste management company JJ Richards has taken advantage of the program and employed nine of these women as waste management operators for a new Brisbane contract.
“Faced with industry skills shortages, the company took the opportunity to focus its recruitment efforts on new industry entrants – specifically women, who have been a largely untapped market,” said Transport and Main Roads Director General Dave Stewart.
“Historically the transport, logistics and supply chain industry has found it difficult to recruit women.
“When advertising for waste management operators and similar roles in the industry, it was necessary to target those with experience, as a Heavy Rigid (HR) licence is required.
“Obtaining a HR licence without the support of an employer and access to appropriate vehicles can be understandably overwhelming to new entrants and many women unfamiliar with the industry.
Mr Stewart said the pilot program had been an outstanding success. “Due to the achievements of this program, several other businesses across different sectors within the industry have expressed interest in participating in Women Take the Wheel.”
