A COMBINATION of factors is leading to “a perfect storm” regarding supply of truck drivers to the Australian transport sector, supply chain labour specialist Labourforce says.
Labourforce has just prepared a report documenting issues faced by industry in the Australian context.
The document is authored by Paul McLeay, a former New South Wales government minister for ports and waterways
“There is essentially a perfect storm facing supply of truck drivers in the Australian transport industry caused by an aging workforce, training providers focusing on numbers rather than quality,” Labourforce said in a statement.
“Barriers to entry for young people (such as age-based license eligibility and high insurance premiums for younger drivers); along with the changes that will likely be adopted following the National Transport Commission; review of the Heavy Vehicle National Law and its supporting regulations and the perception of what is a 150,000 strong industry that has a proud history and an uncertain, while necessary future.”
The Labourforce report focuses on five major issues that require a collective industry response that is practical, relevant, adds value to the businesses in the sector and can help solve the key long term challenges. In our view, the five major challenges are:
- Ageing workforce and recruitment challenges
- Falling Training Standards
- Autonomous vehicles
- Review of Heavy Vehicle National Law
- Perception of Industry.
Click here to view the Labourforce report.
