Tasmanian secondary students are being introduced to the diverse career opportunities available across the transport and logistics industry through a new Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Schools initiative.
Industry Skills Australia (ISA) has been supporting the development of a comprehensive and engaging program that showcases the many avenues of the transport and logistics sector for Years 11 and 12 students in Tasmania. In collaboration with specialist resource writers, ISA has developed training and assessment materials (validated by industry) to support the delivery of the Certificate II in Supply Chain Operations within the Tasmanian VET in Schools system.
The pilot program will enable Tasmanian secondary students to earn a Certificate II in Supply Chain Operations while still at school, combining classroom learning with practical industry experience. It also lays the groundwork for a national model of school-based vocational pathways into the transport and logistics sector.
As part of the program’s rollout ahead of its commencement in 2027, ISA Regional Industry Engagement Manager David Forbes and Project Specialist Trish Fidock recently joined Damian Peirce from DPCT as and trainer John Anderson at Newstead College to promote the qualification and introduce prospective students to the opportunities available within the transport and logistics sector.
Students from Queechy High School, Brooks High School and Prospect High School attended the session to learn more about the program and the range of careers it can support. The qualification provides pathways into a variety of occupations, including warehousing, logistics, supply chain operations, and heavy vehicle driving.
To provide students with a practical insight into the industry, attendees had the opportunity to explore a specially modified bus and learn about vehicle operations and safety systems. During the demonstration, students were shown how to check tyre pressure, identify whether the vehicle was in park, locate the engine compartment, and understand the safety mechanisms that prevent the bus from moving while the doors are open.
The hands-on experience generated interest among students, who were keen to learn more about careers in transport and logistics. Many were particularly interested in the earning potential available across the industry and were encouraged to learn that the pathway to operating larger vehicles begins with obtaining a standard driver’s licence.
To build on this enthusiasm, students participated in an industry immersion bus tour on 22 September, providing an opportunity for 32 students to experience firsthand the diverse range of businesses, career pathways and employment opportunities available across the transport and logistics sector.
By bringing together schools, industry and training providers, the initiative supports a clear pathway from education to employment, helping students develop industry-relevant skills while gaining greater awareness of the opportunities available within one of Tasmania’s essential industries.
To learn more about this project: Tasmanian Transport & Logistics VET in Schools Pilot – Industry Skills Australia
