DECA targets English language skills

Driver training firm DECA has unveiled a new course to hone migrants' English, thereby assisting their entry to the transport sector

Driver Education Centre of Australia (DECA) has unveiled a course to help those from a non-English-speaking background gain employment in the transport, warehousing and logistics sector, with the program set to begin in February 2015.

The course will initially be held at DECA's Altona North facility in Melbourne, but could potentially be rolled out to more of the training specialist's Victorian campuses.

Dubbed 'English Language for the Transport, Warehousing and Logistics Industries', the course is being delivered in collaboration with Wodonga TAFE, which has owned DECA since early 2013.

The course will see Wodonga TAFE-appointed teachers with relevant industry experience target the areas of literacy, verbal communication and numeracy, with students completing 10 hours of training each week for a total of 10 weeks.

The course will be specifically tailored to those seeking entry to the transport, warehousing and logistics industry, thereby boosting students' confidence and enhancing their employment prospects.

Classes will be held from February 2, 2015, with instruction delivered at DECA's Altona North campus on Saturdays (from 9.00am to 3.00pm) and Tuesdays (from 5.30pm to 9.30pm).

According to Marcus Kelly (pictured), Business Manager for DECA Altona North, the course provides an entry point to the industry that previously wasn't available.

"I see this program as being a segue into transport and logistics for many people who are at the moment very challenged," he says.

Mr Kelly says that at present around 70 per cent of DECA's students at Altona North speak something other than English as their first language.

"On many occasions we've had student truck drivers come through and we haven't been able to find a solution to the language barrier – now we've got a solution," he says.

"In some ways we [DECA Altona North] are like a pilot for the program, but I think there's a good chance it could end up being offered at other DECA campuses in Victoria.

"I see DECA's core business as driver training, but this adds value to our business and it also services the transport industry. It's a fairly significant key to the puzzle."

Mr Kelly said Wodonga TAFE first approached DECA with the idea last September, and the driver training firm jumped at the opportunity. In an industry where driver shortages in particular are an on-going concern, he says the course will fill a pressing need.

"They [the drivers] have to come from somewhere and I think this course is ground-breaking – it's going to be life-changing for many people. It's a really good product, it's vital to the industry and it's something that's been missing for a long time – DECA is very happy to be able to offer this."

He says there has also been significant corporate interest in the course from employers looking to raise their general standard of customer service.

Classes will be restricted to 20 students and the course costs just $384.00, or $76.80 for concession card holders.

The course is proof that the tie-up between Wodonga TAFE and DECA is bearing fruit, with the program effectively leveraging the expertise of both organisations to deliver a targeted vocational course with benefits for individuals, companies, and the wider transport, warehousing and logistics industry.

"Wodonga TAFE does this particular sort of training day in, day out, but DECA doesn't," says Mr Kelly.

"My trainers are good, they can communicate, but they're not skilled language and literacy trainers. Here we're actually linking a community need to a pathway into employment, so although we don't have an end-to-end solution we can at least now offer that first crucial step."

For more information on DECA's English Language for the Transport, Warehousing and Logistics Industries program call 1300 365 400 or visit www.deca.com.au.

DECA targets English language skills

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