In a bid to help address driver shortages across the industry and enhance driver skills, Centurion has launched a new driver development program.
“The Driver Development Program we are launching exists for two reasons: to address the shortage of skilled drivers across the transport and logistics sector and to help build the skills of those in the industry to ensure they are operating trucks and road trains safely,” said CEO of Centurion Transport, Justin Cardaci.
The program will help further the training of those already in its driving team and provide opportunities for existing employees who aspire to transition into driving roles.
Though it’s hoped the program can be utilised beyond Centurion’s needs too. Cardaci added, “We want to deliver best-in-class training for the road freight operators outside these gates, through industry-relevant, on-the-job training and development.”
Nationwide Training will deliver the accredited Certificate III in driving operations, while Eureka 4WD Training will play a crucial role in the licensing component as part of the driver development program.
Centurion Transport has collaborated with Driver Risk Management for their Heavy Vehicle Driving Operations Skill Set and Workforce Australia for sourcing new employee candidates.
Recent data from online job platform Seek indicates around 20,000 unfilled truck driving positions across Australia, highlighting substantial demand for proficient, well-trained, and highly skilled drivers within the road freight sector.
“As a business that’s here for the long haul, we take seriously our role in ensuring every driver behind the wheel of a Centurion truck can leave this depot – or any of our other facilities around the country – knowing that they have received the best possible training and on-the-job experience we can offer them,” said Cardaci.
“It is important to me personally that each of our drivers completes their journey and returns to their families safely.”
Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, David Michael MLA, commented, “Driving any kind of heavy vehicle carries with it an enormous responsibility in terms of safety, and good training is integral to keeping our roads safe, keeping road users safe and keeping the industry safe.
“Centurion Transport is to be saluted for developing its own approach to addressing the shortage of skilled drivers across the transport and logistics sector, and I’m pleased to see that the Centurion Driver Development Program has safety at its centre.”