The Department of Education has launched the Heavy Vehicle Driving Operations Skill Set, with 12 students currently enrolled in the pilot course.
Developed in consultation with the transport industry, the six-week course aims to address driver shortages by training 500 new workers in Heavy Rigid (HR) licences, and upskilling an additional 500 existing drivers from HR licences to Heavy Combination and/or Multi-Combination licences.
In a statement, the Department said the Heavy Vehicle skill set was an Australian first.
“The new course aims to increase skilled workers through both theoretical and practical hands-on truck driving at the state-of-the-art Driver Risk Management facility located at Perth Airport,” the Department said.
“On successful completion, participants obtain a Heavy Rigid; Heavy Combination; or Multi Combination class vehicle licence, and may apply for a forklift licence.”
It said Central Regional TAFE was now taking expressions of interest for future intakes and planning was under way to expand the training to the Mid-West, Goldfields and Great Southern regions in the coming months.
Minister for Education and Training, Sue Ellery said the skill sets being offered formed an essential part of the COVID-19 recovery, providing affordable and accessible training options for Western Australians to upskill or retrain.
“The skill set aims to train 500 new entrants and upskill 500 existing workers to drive larger vehicles,” Ms Ellery said.
“Central Regional TAFE has partnered with Driver Risk Management to deliver the course and this is an excellent example of TAFE colleges and private training providers working together to address industry skills needs,” the Minister said.
