Trucking industry leaders met in Melbourne recently for the ATA’s 2024 Workforce and Driver Training Summit, with the aim of tackling the shortage of experienced drivers and concerns about unsafe driving.
ATA CEO Mathew Munro says the group put together a strong plan for the ATA’s General Council to consider in July.
“After getting the latest insights from NTI Executive General Manager – Commercial, Mike Edmonds, we had a detailed discussion about how the industry can improve safety, attract workers and refine our value proposition,” Mr Munro said.
“We also worked through a host of issues about truck driver licensing, including how much time trainee drivers should spend behind the wheel before they are assessed for their licences and how overseas licences should be handled.”
The summit participants included ATA member associations, driver trainers and fleet representatives, as well as 2024 National Professional Driver of the Year, Josh Ulbrich, 2024 Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Trucking Industry Award winner, Bill Manton, and 2023 National Professional Driver of the Year, Steve Broadbent.
Mr Ulbrich says it was excellent to be involved in the summit, as he was able to offer a driver’s point of view for the discussion.
“It was great to see there are people fighting for us as an industry and pushing for the change we need,” he said.
The summit was sponsored by NTI, Australia’s number one truck insurance provider and ATA Foundation Sponsor, along with BP and Volvo Trucks Australia.
