As our industry deals with new and evolving challenges, it has never been more important to build a strong and productive workforce.
Like many Australian industries, trucking is facing disruption. We have been, and will continue to go, through profound change as modern technologies, legislation and social change transforms the way we do business, work and live.
While dealing with disruption, we must also address the issues of today, from improving safety and building business productivity, to recruiting skilled and motivated employees.
In response to this change, and with the responsibility to ensure a viable future for our industry, the Australian Trucking Association, together with Daimler Truck and Bus have partnered for the past four years to deliver the career-defining Future Leaders’ Forum.
First established in 2018, the Future Leaders’ Forum is developing the next generation of trucking leaders, shaping them to be strong, experienced, and knowledgeable representatives of their business, community, association and industry.
One of the most valuable elements of this program and what makes it truly unique is not only that our Future Leaders get hands-on training in leadership, media, politics, and advocacy, they are then taken to Parliament House for real-life lobbying meetings with senior politicians.
These meetings allow our Future Leaders to learn by doing and gain first-hand experience of how to push key messages and make an impact on Australia’s decision-makers.
In 2021 we welcome 12 new Future Leaders to the cohort, representing a wide array of industry professions, from mechanics and directors to operations management, finance and technology.
Representing the ATA’s member associations, TruckSafe and Daimler Truck and Bus, our new Future Leaders demonstrate a passion for our industry and a commitment to make real change.
For example, Australian Furniture Removers Association representative Maddison Howe is keen to use the program as an opportunity to promote and raise awareness of industry opportunities for the younger generation. Meanwhile, Tasmanian Transport Association representative Josiah de Bruyn would like to develop broad leadership capabilities to support his role and succession planning within the family business.
Queensland Trucking Association’s Jake Myler wishes to further his involvement and understanding of government policy and industry advocacy, while Western Roads Federation’s Georgia Goss wants to gain an understanding of how businesses can effectively influence government policy, learn how to handle media interviews and build her professional networks.
It is wonderful to have such high engagement from our member associations in developing leaders. It is clear to see each participant represents their employer and member organisation with pride. Following the success of the 2018, 2019 and 2020 Future Leaders’ Forums, I am excited to see what the next cohort will bring to the table, and how they plan to make a change in the industry.
The value of the Daimler Future Leaders’ Forum for both participants and industry is clear. We are building the next generation of leaders who will make sure the trucking industry remains strong and ready for the future.
This career-defining program nurtures the next generation of industry leaders and gives them the tools and training needed to become strong, knowledgeable industry advocates.