ATA names skills committee Chair

The Australian Trucking Association has named Julie Russell, Director of RB Russell Transport, as the new Chair of its Skills and Workforce Committee.

Pictured here with Mike Fowler (Director of Automotive Business at Cummins South Pacific) after receiving the ATA's 2015 National Trucking Industry Woman of the Year Award, Ms Russell said she was looking forward to working with the committee's members.

"Skills and workforce is a hugely important area for continued improvements in on-road driver behaviours and safety," she said.

"Having better-skilled heavy vehicle drivers, with professional driving behaviours, is critical to reduce both the road toll and road incidents involving heavy vehicles. When we change these behaviours, we're saving lives – our driver's life, and the lives of the people next to them on the road.

Ms Russell said there was much to be done.

"I see several short-term opportunities for the committee in this area by working with RTOs and government bodies to add certain skillsets/focus points to the training programs and qualification standards," she said.

"In the long term, I intend to see the committee producing implementation-level plans that can be introduced across Australia, providing tangible support for our operators.

"We particularly need to look at the transition periods where people are coming into and leaving the industry – both training up and bringing in new entrants, and supporting workers as they head towards retirement, drawing on their skills and knowledge.

"I think there's a real opportunity to develop mentor/mentee programs to help businesses with both incoming and outgoing staff transitions.

"With technology constantly evolving in our trucks and road networks, we also need to be open to how this will change our industry and the people it attracts. It's a challenge that I'm really excited to tackle."

ATA Chair Noelene Watson welcomed Ms Russell to the role.

"Julie has a real passion for the trucking industry, and she is committed to improving safety both on the road and in the industry's depots," she said.

"Her appointment will bring a valuable new perspective to the work of the Skills and Workforce Committee."

Ms Russell's extensive experience has previously seen her work with a range of government and industry groups, including the NHVR, Qld's TMR, the QTA, and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.