Members of the transport and logistics industry have met with Aoraki Polytechnic management to discuss plans for new transport and logistics qualifications set to commence next year.
The qualifications are being developed in direct response to feedback from Canterbury businesses who earlier this year identified a skills shortage of suitably qualified truck drivers due to an aging workforce, and a desire to lift the professional image of careers in the transport industry.
Temuka Transport operations manager Garry Aitken noted the region had the highest demand for drivers of any in the country.
“Right now, collectively we are probably looking at a shortfall of 50 drivers within our hub,” Aitken says. “With the average age of class 5 drivers at 57, we need to prepare for the future and have people trained and ready to fill these jobs.”
“The image of the industry needs to change,” Aitken says. “As a class 5 driver you have the opportunity operate a half a million dollar piece of machinery, it also allows for male and females to be involved in todays’ environment as duties are a lot more user friendly than they were in the past, it is professional and can offer attractive career opportunities for all.”
Aoraki Polytechnic chief executive Alex Cabrera says it was a positive to have the trade and education provider working together.
“The qualifications are a great example of what can be achieved when industry and education work together,” Cabrera says. “Industry involvement is essential in ensuring that we continue to provide the most relevant and practical skills for our community.”
The evening’s discussions centred on the content for the qualifications with Aoraki proposing two 17-week programmes achieving either a level two or level three National Certificate in Goods and Services qualification.
A qualification through Aoraki would mean drivers not only get a strong theoretical understanding of the principals around driving but also practical experience under their belts. Providing a pathway for drivers allows the industry to be seen as a professional career.
