In a bid to lure young workers to the transport and logistics industry, a new cadetship program is being launched in Victoria.

Transport and Distribution Training Victoria (TDT Victoria), in conjunction with the Victorian Transport Association, has been piloting the program designed to recruit exit Year 12 students and place them in employment with medium to large transport and logistics companies.

During the two-year program, cadets undertake a Diploma of Logistics whilst working fulltime.

The pilot program started this year with 14 post-secondary school cadets employed by 12 companies.

TDT Victoria said the program elicited an enthusiastic response from the industry, with major companies including Patrick, Post Logistics, Siemens and Toll participating in the career development initiative.

Next year the program will be running in metropolitan Melbourne, Shepparton, Geelong and South Australia, with further expansion planned in 2010 to cover regions in NSW and Western Australia in collaboration with local organisations. 

The official launch of the cadetship in logistics will be held today, November 24, in Melbourne.

Prospective companies and cadets are being sought for the 2009 cadetship program.

Source: Skills One