The Victorian Government has announced that its Freight Industry Training for Jobseekers Project, which fast-tracks employment for job seekers from diverse backgrounds in the freight and logistics sector, has helped more than 125 candidates gain full-time work.
The project launched in March 2022 and has been successful in filling roles in critical supply-chain vacancies – placing candidates with 70 companies across Victoria, with almost 50 per cent of participants being women in the traditionally male-dominated sector.
Successful candidates from the project have met with government, industry leaders and freight operators to celebrate the success of the project and reflect on key learnings.
The $2.4 million initiative was funded by Jobs Victoria and delivered by Freight Victoria in partnership with the Victorian Transport Association who provided freight industry-specific training programs in critical areas such as heavy vehicle driving, forklift driving and warehousing.
Women represent just 16 per cent of workers in freight and logistics – it’s hoped their success in this project will encourage more to consider a career in the industry.
The freight sector contributes $21 billion to the Victorian economy each year and employs more than 260,000 people. Victoria is also home to the Port of Melbourne – Australia’s busiest port.
Victorian Minister for Ports and Freight, Melissa Horne, said that she is delighted to see the project meet and exceed its target of helping 125 people gain full time employment in the sector.
“To see more women participating in the freight and logistics industry is yet another shining example of government collaborating with industry to deliver the goods,” Ms Horne said.
Victorian Minister for Employment, Vicki Ward, said, “The freight industry is a growing sector that needs workers – this important project has created training opportunities to address this skills shortage. It is fantastic to see so many vacancies being filled by women.”
Victorian Transport Association CEO, Peter Anderson, said, “The ability for government and industry to work together is evident in the results of this project. Identifying the real needs and delivering on practical solutions and results has been a highlight for further projects of this nature to be considered.’’