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New pathway to truck traineeships

Great news if you want to be a truck driver: a new program provides free training for a licence upgrade, and helps you seek a traineeship.

 

The Victorian Government is funding a new program at Wodonga TAFE’s Transport Division, DECA, which aims to place aspiring truck drivers in traineeships.

“Superior Heavy Vehicle Licensing (SHVL) is about getting people trained-up, job-ready and employed in the transport industry,” says Alex Stojanovic, Business Development Manager at Wodonga TAFE.

Because of funding from Victoria’s Regional and Specialist Training Fund (RSTF), there is no fee for Phase One of the program. Phase One is a six-week course which includes heavy vehicle training and job-readiness preparation. This phase culminates with a licence test for the highest truck licence each participant is eligible to attempt.

Stojanovic anticipates graduates of Phase One will be highly sought by transport companies “once we get the runs on the board”.

Graduates of Phase One will be interviewed by potential employers. If the interview is successful, they can begin Phase Two – a traineeship which lasts 18-24 months.

Phase Three includes DECA’s Rollover Prevention and Stability Program and Pro Driver Program.

The course has broad eligibility criteria – applicants must have held an Australian drivers licence for at least two years, and must meet the requirements of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR). (Contact Wodonga TAFE to discuss eligibility.)

The program is offered from Wodonga TAFE’s Barnawartha North and Shepparton campuses.

Stojanovic says funding should enable 150 people to enrol in Phase One during the life of the program, and he expects about 100 people will begin during 2018. New intakes of 16 students (eight at each campus) will begin every two months this year.

For more information about the SHVL course and traineeships, phone Wodonga TAFE on 1300 698 233.

Read more in Owner//Driver’s January 2018 issue which also looks at Youth Jobs PaTH internships and school-based GenR8 work experience.

Photography: Tamara Whitsed

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