Western Australian senator Glenn Sterle is combining with Hughes Training Group to shine a spotlight on driver training and the impact it has on road safety across the nation.
While raising Australia’s training and licencing standards is a complex issue spanning multiple portfolios, Sterle is working with Hughes Training Group to ensure it becomes an issue addressed across the sectors of vocational education and training, workforce development, workplace safety, public transport and the road freight transport sector.
In a meeting with Hughes Training Group director Andy Hughes, Sterle says prioritising driver education “underscores a company’s commitment to road safety”.
“Workplace safety training for both new recruits and experienced drivers should be a top priority,” he says.
“This is especially urgent given that there have already been six truck-related fatalities during the first six days of this month!”
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Hughes says that while elevating standards across these areas is essential, there’s a significant workforce skills gap regarding qualified heavy vehicle driver trainers who are professional road safety educators.
“There is a real need for experienced mentors who not only understand the industry but also possess the skills to effectively facilitate the learning process,” he says.
Hughes says that while large companies can afford to invest in driver training and onboarding procedures to improve retention, most transport businesses are small operations with fewer than five trucks and their margins are tight. Smaller transport operators often lack the resources for comprehensive induction and safety training for new recruits.
While licence upgrades and increases in the amount of supervised training has become a discussion point for years, Hughes says progress has been slow.
“The question remains – who will train the trainers? Any positive steps toward raising training standards and licensing requirements will provide positive road safety outcomes but will also expose a shortage of qualified heavy vehicle trainers and associated skills capacity,” Hughes says.
“Driver training is a road safety issue. Better-trained driving instructors lead to safer drivers—and ultimately, safer roads for everyone.”
He highlighted that experienced drivers could enhance their instructional skills through Training 4 Road Safety™ (TRS) – an industry focused program specifically designed for upskilling heavy vehicle driver trainers.
“We need to identify and inspire exceptional individuals who not only understand the industry but also possess the skills to train new entrants effectively,” he says.
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