The Australian Logistics Council has announced that it has welcomed the Minns Government’s $2.5 million investment in upgraded training facilities at TAFE NSW Wetherill Park, saying it recognises the workforce needs of a freight and logistics sector that is central to the NSW economy.
The funding will deliver a new covered outdoor learning area for hands-on heavy vehicle training, including dismantling and assembly, as well as upgrades to the campus engineering grinding room, including improved extraction systems and safety measures.
ALC CEO Dr Hermione Parsons said the investment was a practical response to the acute workforce challenge.
“Freight transport and freight logistics are core social and economic enablers. Every household, business, construction site, farm, hospital and export supply chain depends on the people who build, maintain and repair the vehicles and equipment that keep goods moving,” Dr Parsons said.
“ALC has consistently called for freight transport and freight logistics to be recognised as an essential economic enabler, and that recognition must include investment in the skilled workforce behind the sector.
“Road freight demand is projected to grow strongly over the coming decades. Meeting that task will require investment not only in roads, freight rail, ports, intermodals and industrial land, but also in the trades and technical capability that support the system every day.”
The ALC said the investment is particularly important for Western Sydney, one of Australia’s most significant freight, logistics, manufacturing, and employment regions.
“Western Sydney sits at the centre of many of the state’s most important freight movements. It is home to major distribution centres, industrial precincts, transport operations, and Western Sydney Airport,” Dr Parsons said.
“Training local workers close to these freight and industrial precincts is good workforce policy and good economic policy.
“The freight transport and freight logistics sector is already facing significant skills pressures. With almost half of Australia’s vehicle body builders aged 55 years and over, the industry needs a strong pipeline of apprentices and skilled tradespeople entering the sector.”
The ALC also welcomed the collaboration between TAFE NSW and Pure One, which will provide students with exposure to a hydrogen-powered electric prime mover truck.
“Industry will continue to need workers who understand conventional heavy vehicle systems, while also developing capability in emerging technologies including hydrogen and battery electric vehicles,” Dr Parsons said.
“Giving apprentices practical exposure to new vehicle technologies will help prepare the workforce for the transition already underway across parts of the transport sector.
“Freight decarbonisation will only be successful if it is practical, commercially realistic and supported by the right skills, infrastructure and equipment.”
The ALC said the investment builds on broader work needed to strengthen supply chain resilience, improve freight productivity, and ensure NSW has the workforce required to support future growth.
“This is a sensible investment in the people who keep freight moving. Skills policy is freight policy. If NSW wants a stronger, more productive, and more resilient freight network, it needs skilled workers across workshops, terminals, depots, distribution centres and transport operations,” Dr Parsons said.
