Minister for Ports and Freight Melissa Horne has opened the state conference of the Victorian Transport Association, which will centre on the workers who support the $21 billion freight and logistics sector that is the state’s economic force.
The event, with the theme “People First – Managing Transport’s Greatest Asset,” will bring together key members of the industry to improve and enhance supply chain capability and address labour shortages.
Under the Freight Industry Training project, the Labor Government said it is collaborating with the Victorian Transport Association to solve the labour shortfall in the industry.
The $3 million initiative, which began at the beginning of last year, has given participants the skills they need to land long-term employment possibilities, including operating forklifts, driving large vehicles, working in warehousing, and ensuring that vital supplies reach their destination.
“We’re continuing to work with the freight and logistics industry to keep supply chains moving into the future and benefit the thousands of Victorians who work in and rely on it daily,” said Minister Horne.
She added that the Victorian Transport Association state conference is an excellent opportunity to hear from key members of the industry in order to better understand and address issues so that the government can continue to support producers, freight operators, and exporters.
The Victorian government said the Women in Transport Strategy 2021-24 will also be a focal point at the conference, with the project aiming to increase the number of women working in public and private sector transportation sectors to 50 per cent by 2024.
To date, women currently make up only 16 per cent of freight and logistics workers, so they have been prioritised in the program; many are now in full-time employment, and more graduates are looking for opportunities to join them.
The conference will also cover the industry’s adaptability and response to national and international events that have affected supply chains.
It also discusses the effects of the severe floods from last year on the sector.
Providing 260,000 employment and $21 billion annually to the state’s economy, the government said the freight sector helps producers, exporters, and importers transport their goods to domestic and international markets.
The state conference runs through 21 March.
