Working with industry to upskill heavy vehicle drivers
A new nationally-recognised training package endorsed by the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) aims to make it easier for the heavy vehicle industry to manage driver fatigue.
“This new training package will ensure the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) and heavy vehicle industry have greater certainty that personnel can demonstrate the knowledge and skills to work safely. It will support transport efficiency, while improving road safety,” said Geoff Casey, NHVR Executive Director Productivity and Safety.
The new training units, developed in consultation with industry, are designed to upskill heavy vehicle drivers, schedulers, supervisors, managers and business owners in applying, administering and managing a fatigue risk management system.
The new training units will only apply for participants in the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme (NHVAS) and Registered Training Organisations wishing to deliver must register with the NVHR. The NHVR will accept registrations from 1 January 2018.
“When someone drives a heavy vehicle while impaired by fatigue, they put all road users at risk. Through a series of forums hosted with the heavy vehicle industry, we gained a range of views from those in the heavy vehicle industry to understand why non-compliance exists.
“The new training units address the issues raised and should help industry to manage driver fatigue on a daily basis,” said Mr Casey.
Chair of the AISC, John Pollaers, said the changes demonstrated how industry involvement in training package development could lead to quality outcomes for employers, employees and students.
“This is just one industry facing challenges as technology and consumer expectations advance – and one example of industry meeting these challenges by being adaptive and working to reskill workers to keep up,” said John Pollaers, Chair of the AISC.
Mark McKenzie, Chair of the interim Transport and Logistics IRC, says consultation and collaboration are important.
“Meaningful and effective cooperation is crucial if we are to ensure a safe and effective transport and logistics industry continues. Through the IRC, we collaborate with a broad range of industry experts and advocates and can react swiftly as we have seen with the fatigue management case,” he said.
Contact: AISC Secretariat (02) 6240 3613
About the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) The AISC is an industry/government collaboration focused on amplifying the voice of industry and building employer’s confidence in VET qualifications. The AISC advises Commonwealth and State and Territory Industry and Skills Ministers on the implementation of national vocational education and training policies, and approves nationally recognised training packages for implementation in the VET system.