AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRATION NEWS

Australian Trucking Industry Investigates Skills Shortage

Monday, 18 June 2007

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Kevin Andrews has announced the launch of an industry working group to investigate and provide recommendations on the Australian trucking industry skills shortage.

Following meetings with members of the industry, a trucking industry working group who are experts in their field will advise the government on the appropriateness for 457 visas to be made available within the trucking industry.

‘The working group will provide advice as to the development of appropriate standards and benchmarks for the trucking industry before the government will consider any further the granting of temporary skilled visas (457s) to the industry’, Mr Andrews said.

Specific areas of the industry which will be assessed include mechanics, panel repair, trailer construction and repair, suspension systems, automotive computer control systems, warehouse handling systems and equipment, logistics management and driving.

The working group will also assess and provide feedback on the suitable qualification, skill and level of experience required for each of the employment areas.

‘It is important to ensure that issues such as entry level qualifications, skills and experience required within the trucking industry and current and future training initiatives of Australian workers are not compromised or diminished by the possible introduction of 457 visas’, Mr Andrews said.

The group will also focus on such issues as remuneration levels, OH&S, English language requirements and the need for Australian knowledge.

Members, who have been drawn from across the industry, include:

Mr Ian Johnson - Monash University
Mr Bruce Grubb - Scott Group of Companies
Mr Mark Crosdale - Transport Workers Union
Mr Ari Suss - Linfox
Mr Ivan Backman - Australian Logistics Council
Mr Neil Gow - Australian Trucking Association
Mr Damian McFarlane - Australian Trucking Association

The group is to expected to report findings of their investigation by late 2007.

The 457 scheme, which allows employers to hire skilled foreign workers temporarily, is very popular with businesses and the government to address critical skills shortages in Australia.

For further information about the 457 scheme, please visit the ‘For Employers’ section of the Migration Expert website.