The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) has launched its InRoads Diversity and Inclusion program, with a further offering of 2000 free diversity and inclusion education licences for members of state and sector trucking associations.
The program was previously known as the ‘Driving Change in Diversity’ program but has been relaunched and refreshed and is a key pillar in the ATA’s long-term strategy of attracting and retaining industry talent.
Long-time partner Teletrac Navman is supporting the program. Shortly after its initial announcement in April at Trucking Australia 2024 1100 licence requests from 45 companies were received in just 24 hours.
ATA director of marketing and corporate partnerships Bianca D’Rosario says attracting underrepresenting demographics to the Australian transport sector is key to making up the current major position shortfall.
“Opening up the industry to under-represented groups (women, older workers, multicultural groups) is a key part of addressing the current trucking workforce shortage and a recurring theme from the ATA’s 2024 Driver Training and Workforce Summit.” D’Rosario says.
“Our program is based on courses from the SBS Inclusion Program, which provide a short, sharp and general understanding of inclusion, suitable for employees at any level, enabling workplaces to embed a culture of openness and acceptance of diverse employees.
“We are grateful to Teletrac Navman, who has funded the program since 2020 and is generously sponsoring 5,000 free SBS Inclusion Program licences.
“During the next 18 months, the program will provide access to important workplace safety courses: Appropriate Workplace Behaviour (including the Respect@Work and Psychosocial Hazards), Core Inclusion, Cultural Diversity and Gender Equity.
“In an industry of small businesses and high travel, the 24×7 accessibility of the courses is especially valuable.”
There is currently a shortfall of 26,000 drivers throughout Australia’s national trucking sector, with a recent NatRoad study finding the average age of the industry to be 49 years.
With the increasing demand on the industry due to online and direct to consumer purchases, the scale of Australia’s freight task is only set to soar.
Road Freight New South Wales (RFNSW) CEO Simon O’Hara says programs like InRoads Diversity and Inclusion are crucial to continue to educate current industry professionals to help make the heavy vehicle sector a more welcoming place.
“This is a really important program, which will help and support our members in better educating themselves about appropriate behaviour, inclusion, diversity and gender equality, in what has been a traditionally male-dominated industry,” O’Hara says.
“And at a time of labour shortages across the transport industry, demonstrating best-practice diversity, inclusion and gender equity standards will help recruit and retain people into our industry.”
More information on the program the registration for free licences is available here.