TWU Backs $17.4M Training Centre to Fix WA’s Truck Driver Skills Crisis”

TWU WA State Secretary Tim Dawson was on ABC Regional Radio this week, speaking out about the lack of training and skills shortage within the truck industry.

With the transport industry facing a serious skills shortage, companies are under pressure to fill gaps quickly — and too often that means putting inexperienced drivers behind the wheel of heavy vehicles before they’re fully ready.

Right now, the requirements to get a heavy vehicle licence in WA are so minimal that once drivers pass and get out on the road, some may not have a clear understanding of proper load restraint or even the ability to change a tyre.

That’s why the TWU couldn’t be more excited to see the WA Governments commitment to a new $17.4 million truck driver training centre in Neerabup rolled out this year.

Delivered through TAFE, the centre will train up to 170 students each year and include heavy rigid trucks, trailers, forklift training, a high-tech driving simulator, and purpose-built roads for real-world experience.

This is one way to tackle the skills shortage — by properly training the next generation of drivers, not rushing them onto the road.