Applications open for Driving Townsville’s Future program, hoping to get more truck drivers on Queensland roads

For anyone eyeing a career in the transport industry, an brand-new program is hitting the gas, designed to drive more fresh talent onto the roads. Find out more.

Industry orientation at Followmont Transport and Emerald Carrying Company with potential new entrants into the transport and logistics industry.

For those looking to get into the transport industry, a new tailored program is hoping to encourage more drivers on the roads.

The Queensland Trucking Association, in partnership with registered training organisation Saltera Training, is encouraging school leavers and individuals looking to upskill to register for the Driving Townsville’s Future program.

This two-week, full-time course provides an entry-level pathway into the transport sector, developed in consultation with road freight operators and fleet owners who identified a lack of clear entry routes into the industry.

With the first intake of 20 applicants set to begin in late October and another round scheduled for February next year, the program is focused specifically on truck driving training.

Queensland Trucking Association CEO, Gary Mahon, emphasised that the program will help support the industry by offering practical, on-the-job training.

Industry orientation at Followmont Transport and Emerald Carrying Company with potential new entrants into the transport and logistics industry. Picture: supplied

“It is important to involve employers in these training programs to ensure that participants can practice what they are learning to get that true industry work experience,” he said.

“This program is an excellent starting point to encourage more people into the industry …”

Successful participants of the program will be able to transfer completed units in the course into a full qualification in either Certificate III Driving Operations or Certificate III in Supply Chain Operations if they want to continue their training.

Jobs Queensland’s Townsville Workforce Development Plan 2020-2025 identified

Townsville is Queensland’s third-biggest and northern Australia’s largest

container and automotive port, as the city’s transport, postal and warehousing industries are expected to grow by 12.9 per cent between 2021-22 and 2025-26.

Jobs Queensland’s, through their Grow Your Own Regional Workforce Program, are providing more than $120,000 in funding for the driver training program.

The first program intake will commence one commencing October 21 through to November 1 for 10 days, running from 8am to 4pm at Brown & Hurley, 662 Ingham Rd, Bohle.

The second intake will commence in February/March 2025.

Expressions of interest are open for both intakes. The training is for two weeks full time so participants must be able to attend all 10 days and have transport to and from Bohle.

Interested participants can complete the expression of interest on the QTA website.

Originally published as Applications open for Driving Townsville’s Future program, hoping to get more truck drivers on Queensland roads