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Visy Logistics female graduates take UD Croner keys

Training program culminates with heavy-duty rigid licences

Marks of efforts to increase inclusive transport and logistics staffing continue in the aftermath of this year’s International Women’s Day with news that a fleet of new UD Croners handed over to graduates of Visy Logistics’ Female Drivers Training Program.

All six women are new to the trucking industry and recently participated in a fully-paid, four-week intensive driver training course to obtain their heavy duty rigid licence.

They come from a wide range of backgrounds, from landscaping to nursing.

One of the graduates, known only as Kate, explains that “more women are entering this male dominated industry because we have so much to offer.

“We come from different backgrounds and have different mindsets that make us very employable.”

Visy Logistics fleet and equipment manage Glen Fulton says he is “extremely impressed with the women’s driving skill set and this is exactly what the business needs, reliable and passionate individuals who will thrive in their roles.

“Driver shortages are an issue across the industry, and we want to attract the best potential candidates to Visy Logistics.

“And then, once we have the best drivers, we want to keep them here. It’s part of our long-term recruitment and retention strategy.”

With women a largely untapped staffing resource for the industry, Visy Logistics designed the program specifically to attract a potential candidate pool who may not have considered a career like this previously.


Read how the new Croner was introduced to the local market, here


CMV Dandenong handed over the six new Croner PD25 280 curtain siders earlier this month, with Fulton noting “reliability and fuel efficiency were huge selling points of the Croner”.

CMV Dandenong sales manager Ian Rimmer observes that “women are an integral part of the trucking industry and we were thrilled to handover the vehicles to the Visy Logistic graduates.”

An education seminar took place at the dealership hosted by key account handover and delivery manager Patrick Ryan who states: “We always go the extra mile at UD Trucks to make sure drivers are fully informed before they hit the road.

“It was fantastic seeing the women’s beaming and confident faces once they received their vehicles.”

UD counts promoting and celebrating diversity as a company imperative.

“We were thrilled to hear about the fantastic Female Drivers Training Program by Visy Logistics and are extremely humbled and proud they selected UD Trucks to be part of the initiative,” UD sales vice president Lauren Downs says.

“We would like to pass on a very warm welcome to the industry to the graduates, and hope they enjoy the new UDs as much as we do.”

Downs thanked the women “for choosing to join this fantastic industry and paving the way for future generations of truck drivers and careers in the transport industry.

“Wishing you long and successful careers.”

 

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