Scania schools female students on transport roles

Forty female students from the Glenala State High School in Brisbane were treated to a heavy-duty version of International Women’s Day on March 8 with a visit to Scania's Richland branch.

The visit highlighted the many roles available within the transport industry, from diesel apprentice to warehousing, administration and financial control.

After a welcome from Richard Singer, Scania Queensland regional executive manager, who briefly described his rise through the ranks and international postings for several global companies, the girls were sent off to examine some Scania trucks, and be driven around by Scania driver trainers.

Another group worked with a technician to track down a series of 'faults' using a Scania service laptop, while other groups heard employment histories from a selection of the Scania female staff and were introduced to some pathways into the industry from TLI Connect and QMI Solutions.

Glenala SHS year 10 student Kate Crowdy is a long-time fan of cars and trucks and is already studying a certificate II automotive course.

"When I heard we were coming here, I was pretty excited to find out more about how to become a diesel mechanic; I want to be one, and I have found out heaps," Kate says.

"I found out that when I am 17 I can get an apprenticeship here (at Scania). I want to work with trucks. I am already on the pathway to starting as an apprentice."

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Mr Singer says Scania encourages women to take up job opportunities at all levels from apprentices to senior executives.

"The aim of the day was to broaden the appeal of the transport industry to a new generation of Australians, and to show this is not the male-dominated industry it has been, and may still be perceived as," he says.

“We are starting to see a shift as more females take up roles in the workshop as apprentices and technicians, as well as in key positions such as finance, marketing, dealer development and dealership management."