Like many Australian industries, the trucking industry is facing disruption and innovation as modern technologies change the way it does business and goes about finding our industry’s future leaders.
According to David Smith, Australian Trucking Association Chair, our industry can be expected to go through great change but must also address the issues of today including safety, building business productivity, and recruiting skilled and motivated employees.
In response to future changes, and with the responsibility to ensure a viable future for our industry, the ATA together with Daimler Truck and Bus have partnered to deliver the career-defining Future Leaders’ Forum.
Now in its fourth year, the Daimler Truck and Bus Future Leaders Forum is developing the next generation of trucking leaders, shaping them to be strong, experienced, and knowledgeable representatives of their business, community, association, and industry.
Over the years we have seen Future Leaders come from all over the country from a wide range of backgrounds and roles including business analytics, driver training, logistics, livestock, compliance, and finance, representing the various aspects of the transport industry.
During the Forum our Future Leaders take part in intensive workshops in Canberra where they are mentored by experts in leadership, media, and political training, developing their potential as future leaders of the industry and the ATA’s network of member associations. This political training involves real lobbying meetings at Parliament House with senior politicians, advocating for key industry issues.
The Forum also sees Future Leaders undertake a specialised leadership project that focuses on a key industry issue. Some of these projects explore e-commerce, driver training and retention, industry attraction, succession planning, compliance, and implementation of technology systems, and are presented at the ATA’s next Trucking Australia conference.
2018 Future Leader Stacey Davies said the forum was the best training and development she has taken part in throughout her 10-year career.
“It allowed me to not only create valuable and ongoing working relationships with other young leaders in my industry, but also helped me to develop and refine my project management and presentation skills with the guidance of industry professionals in a safe and encouraging environment,” says Stacey.
“After taking part in the inaugural 2018 program, I received a job promotion as I was able to showcase my commitment, drive and dedication to the business through the implementation of my future leaders project.”
Reflecting on his experience, 2019 Future Leader Matthew Allen said the forum is a great development program that stands out from the rest as it is delivered and backed by people in the industry.
“My confidence in presenting and communicating grew after the program and I was given opportunities to continue to develop that in my professional role,” said Matthew. “This led to an internal promotion about 6 months after completing.
“The program puts you on the other side of the fence and gives you an insight into how legislation is created, the association’s role and involvement in the industry as well as providing a safe environment for you to grow and develop your leadership skills.”
From the examples of Stacey, Matthew and every single Future Leader who has progressed through this program, it is clear this type of initiative nurtures the next generation of Australia’s transport industry leaders and helps to make the trucking a destination for the country’s finest.
To find out more about the Daimler Truck and Bus Future Leaders’ Forum, head to www.truck.net.au/futureleaders
