With the right attitude and an eagerness to learn, Brenton Rodgers just needed someone willing to give him a chance.
That’s where Russell Transport – and the Queensland Trucking Association’s (QTA) Heavy Vehicle Safe Driving Program – came in.
Aged 34, Brenton had already worked in other fields including as an automotive mechanic and in the construction industry, but trucking was something he’d wanted to try his hand at for some time.
“My old man drove trucks for a few years when I was a young fella and I’d go out in the truck with him on school holidays and weekends – so I always had an interest in trucks and machinery.”
Having grown up in Daylesford, Victoria, Brenton made the move to Brisbane eight years ago, lured by the warmer weather and by his best mate who had done the same a few years prior.
It was just a few months ago that Brenton secured his open HR licence. “I was looking to be given a go. It can be hard to get a start in a new industry,” he said.
After posting to a Facebook group in search of weekend work to further his skills, not one, but two drivers from Russell Transport – both newcomers to the industry who had completed QTA’s driver training program – recommended he get in touch with the company.
And Russell Transport was more than willing to give Brenton a shot, offering him a role in May, based at the Carole Park site.
He’s behind the wheel of an Isuzu FVY 12-metre rigid, complete with a HIAB crane, which he uses to deliver reinforced steel bars and mesh for the construction industry, predominantly throughout Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Before being thrown in the deep end, Brenton was buddied up with experienced truck driver Rob Mulquiney, who was able to impart his wisdom.
“I spent three weeks with Rob. As part of the program, you need to do at least 160 hours of supervised training with a driver mentor,” explained Brenton.
“It was really enjoyable. We got along well and he had a lot of handy info. I learnt everything I needed to know before being sent off on my own.
“The training involved a lot of on-the-job training – watching, learning and getting advice on driving techniques. It covered everything the job entails, including training on safely operating the crane, load restraint, vehicle pre-starts, and breakdown and incident procedures.”
Brenton says he found the load restraint training to be particularly beneficial. “The steel bars we transport are all different shapes and sizes, so load restraint is a big one, because every load is different.
“Once I finished the QTA driver training program, I got put in my own truck and away I went. I’m enjoying being on the road and seeing new places and sites. I’ve always enjoyed driving – I like the freedom of it.”
Still new to the industry, Brenton is happy in his current work and says Russell Transport is a great company to work for. Once he gains more experience, he’d like to eventually work his way up to the higher classes of licence and maybe one day even try his hand at getting his MC. “I’d like to upgrade my licence in the future but for now I’m just going with the flow,” he added.
Having now been through the QTA’s Heavy Vehicle Safe Driving Program and secured full time work, Brenton believes the program is a great incentive for companies who are looking to attract new drivers into the industry.
For those who are considering a move into trucking, Brenton’s advice is simple: “Just go and get your licence and give it a go!”