A $2.5m investment in upgraded training facilities at TAFE NSW Wetherill Park by the government of New South Wales has been welcomed by the Australian Logistics Council.
The money is expected to deliver a new covered outdoor learning area for hands-on heavy vehicle training, including dismantling and assembly.
ALC chief executive Hermione Parsons said the investment was a practical response to the acute workforce challenge.
“Freight transport and freight logistics are core social and economic enablers. Every household, business, construction site, farm, hospital and export supply chain depends on the people who build, maintain and repair the vehicles and equipment that keep goods moving,” Dr Parsons said.
“ALC has consistently called for freight transport and freight logistics to be recognised as an essential economic enabler, and that recognition must include investment in the skilled workforce behind the sector.”
The ALC said the investment was particularly important for Western Sydney, one of Australia’s most significant freight, logistics, manufacturing, and employment regions.
“Western Sydney sits at the centre of many of the state’s most important freight movements. It is home to major distribution centres, industrial precincts, transport operations, and Western Sydney Airport,” Dr Parsons said.
“Training local workers close to these freight and industrial precincts is good workforce policy and good economic policy.”
The ALC also welcomed the collaboration between TAFE NSW and Pure One, which is to provide students with exposure to a hydrogen-powered electric prime mover truck.
“Industry will continue to need workers who understand conventional heavy vehicle systems, while also developing capability in emerging technologies including hydrogen and battery electric vehicles,” Dr Parsons said.
“Giving apprentices practical exposure to new vehicle technologies will help prepare the workforce for the transition already underway across parts of the transport sector.
“Freight decarbonisation will only be successful if it is practical, commercially realistic and supported by the right skills, infrastructure and equipment.”
The ALC said the investment built upon broader work needed to strengthen supply chain resilience.
“This is a sensible investment in the people who keep freight moving. Skills policy is freight policy,” Dr Parsons said.
“If NSW wants a stronger, more productive, and more resilient freight network, it needs skilled workers across workshops, terminals, depots, distribution centres and transport operations.”