The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) is calling for more official recognition of the skills of Australia’s truck drivers.
In its submission to a review by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) of the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) list, the ATA argues that truckies deserve a higher grade.
ANZSCO has five skill levels, ranging from skill level 1 (you need tertiary qualifications) to skill level 5 (you need to have finished school).
Currently, ANZSCO classifies truck driving as skill level 4, equivalent to a Certificate II or III, or a year of experience.
The ABS has proposed adding a new occupation, articulated truck driver, which would be classified at skill level 3, equivalent to a Certificate III with a least two years of on the job training.
The skill level of tanker drivers would also be recognised in the classification as level 3.
In its submission, the ATA said it strongly supported the ABS proposals.
“It is not possible to become an articulated truck driver with just one year of experience,” ATA CEO Mathew Munro said.
“Under Australia’s licence progression system, it takes a newly licensed car driver at least two years to get an articulated truck licence.
“In any case, a heavy combination licence is the minimum legal requirement for working as an articulated truck driver. It does not deliver the skills needed to work competently.”
Munro said articulated truck drivers need additional skills such as work health and safety, chain of responsibility, fatigue management and load restraint.
“These skills are consistent with holding a Certificate III,” he said.
Munro said that designating articulated truck and tanker drivers at the right skill level would help build the case for adding these occupations to the Australian Apprenticeship Priority List.
“Apprentice and trainee truck drivers, and their employers, should be able to get training incentives – but that will only happen if truck driving is on the priority list,” he said.
“Setting these skill levels correctly will also help build the case to bring truck driving into the skilled migration system.”
Submissions to the review close on September 6. To have your say, click here.