The Department of Transport is funding a pilot program aimed at training more Western Australians in heavy vehicle driving.
The job-ready Heavy Vehicle Driving Operations Skill Set and driver training will train an estimated 1,000 skilled workers needed by the transport industry to avoid skill shortages.
The program removes barriers to entry in Heavy Rigid, Heavy Combination, or Multi-Combination heavy vehicle driving through both theoretical and hands-on practical truck driver training.
The Heavy Vehicle Driving Operations Skill Set is to be delivered in Perth’s north-eastern suburbs by Central Regional TAFE and is an expansion of the Heavy Haulage Driving Operations Skill Set being delivered in Collie, which will transition to the new program.
Minister for Education and Training, Sue Ellery said the program had been modified to provide students with more of the practical skills needed by the industry, including on-road experience.
“To be responsive to industry need, the short course has been developed to have a strong focus on practical skills and will be an Australian first,” Ms Ellery said.
“The aim of the pilot is to increase skilled workers in this essential service but also give existing workers the opportunity to upskill to more complex combination heavy vehicle driving, increasing industry productivity and safety.”
She said the course would run for just over six weeks, with the first intake in the metropolitan area expected to begin in March. Regional locations were also in development.
Minister for Transport, Rita Saffioti said the pandemic had demonstrated how vital the freight industry and truck drivers were to the State’s economy.
“We have worked collaboratively with industry to create this program to make sure it gives truck drivers the skills they need while also helping jobseekers increase their employability,” Ms Saffioti said.
