Drivers

Queensland lowers truck driver apprenticeship age to 17

July 12, 2023 2 min read

Date: 12.07.2023

The Queensland Trucking Association (QTA) has achieved a significant victory as Queensland becomes the first state to lower the age requirement for this specific driving apprenticeship.

Aspiring truck drivers as young as 17 can now begin an apprenticeship program in QLD.

In a significant development for the road freight industry, the Queensland Trucking Association (QTA) revealed that the age requirement for the Business C Vehicle Driver Apprenticeship has been lowered to 17, a decision approved by the Queensland Apprenticeship and Traineeship Office.

With Queensland being the first state to approve the apprenticeship in October 2022, the uptake has been hampered by the original commencement age which was set at 20 years old. Feedback gathered from industry indicated that the age needed to be lowered to entice school leavers into the industry.

RELATED ARTICLE: Retired Highway Patrol Officer seeks the safety road

This extensive body of work was completed by Camilla Elmes who performs the role of QTA Industry Skills Advisor. This position, along with the Industry Workforce Advisor position, is funded by the Department of Youth Justice, Employment, Small Business and Training.

“This is great news for the road freight industry. Being able to offer a heavy vehicle driver apprenticeship to school leavers is a great step towards securing the future professional driver workforce,” QTA CEO Gary Mahon says.

“We now need to secure Priority 1 funding for the HV Driver Apprenticeship which will provide employers with more of an incentive to take on driver apprentices. With driver shortages the number one issue in the sector, it is critical that it is changed to Priority 1 funding.

“There will be now more confidence for employers to take on young people as the apprenticeship will provide them with the essential development pathway to become a competent heavy vehicle driver.

“Although at this stage, the age based licencing progression will still apply, people coming out of an apprenticeship will be more appropriately skilled and will have a Certificate III qualification as well as real industry experience.”

If employers need support to engage an Apprenticeship Provider and or a Registered Training Organisation, the QTA says to please contact Angela Mottram (QTA Industry Workforce Advisor – [email protected]) who will be able to support you through the process.