Queensland Trucking Association celebrates successful first intake of Driving Townsville’s Future program

Coming from a long family history of truck drivers, Jenna Lappalainen is now forging her own path thanks to a first-of-its-kind driving program in Townsville. Find out more.

QTA's Driving Townsville's Future program participants at Brown and Hurley in Bohle.

With a long family history of truck drivers, Tablelands resident Jenna Lappalainen is forging her own path thanks to a first-of-its-kind driving program, aiming to encourage the next generation of Queensland truck drivers.

Part of the first intake of participants in Queensland Trucking Association’s Driving Townsville’s Future program, Ms Lappalainen said it was an eye-opening look into the trucking industry and the new technology and standards.

“I’ve been in trucks since I was six weeks old,” she said.

“I’ve done two-up drives with my husband. I’ve learnt all the old ways, where I’ve learnt so much about the road. But from this program I have found my identity without the boys behind.”

Jenna Lappalainen was one of the participants in QTA's Driving Townsville's Future.

With the dream of combining her mining experience with trucking, Ms Lappalainen said the program was a great encouragement to get more women into the industry, and her ultimate goal was to work with quad tippers.

“This program has opened so many doors for me, and I’ve also found lots of contacts,” she said.

“It’s a fantastic program; there needs to be more of it. There’s not many opportunities for women in transport so this program has helped immensely.”

Coming across the program through Facebook, Wade Cavanough wanted to know more about the transport industry.

“I’ve learnt so much being here. I didn’t know how much went into it, and hopefully, one day, I can work in the mines,” he said.

Fellow participant Sam Short took part in the course after starting work at Law Transport a few weeks ago.

“There’s a lot more that goes into it than just driving a truck,” he said.

“Loading, unloading, learning how to restrain and all the logistics and making sure everything is following the law.”

“There’s so many career opportunities; working in storerooms, warehouses, forklifts, working in logistics, loading and unloading.”

Mr Short said the program was great for those wanting to get into the world of trucking but were not sure how.

QTA's Driving Townsville's Future program participants with trainer John Cooper at Brown and Hurley in Bohle.

“A lot of places won’t take you unless you have a license and it can be expensive, so having a program that acts as a middle ground and learning the basics is a great help,” he said.

In partnership with Saltera Training, the full-time course served as an entry-level pathway into the transport sector, with many of the participants being offered jobs.

The program is open to recent school graduates, those already in the transport industry or those looking for a career change.

The program came about following feedback from trucking industry owners and operators saying there is a lack of entryways into the field.

The second intake of the Driving Townsville’s Future program will kick off in February 2025.

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.

To register your interest or for more information visit the Driving Townsville’s Future website.

Originally published as Queensland Trucking Association celebrates successful first intake of Driving Townsville’s Future program