WA transport industry workshopping flexible hours to bring young mums and dads into workforce

Young mums looking to return to work could form part of the solution to the WA transport industry’s “unprecedented” labour crisis and add youth to its ageing workforce. Flexible working hours, job sharing and restructured positions are all ideas being discussed to encourage parents with school-aged children wanting to get back into the workforce to choose the transport industry. The industry has long battled a Statewide driver shortage — exacerbated recently by resources booms, panic buying, bushfires and floods — as well as staff on-ground in depots and warehouses. Western Roads Federation chief executive Cam Dumesny said the industry needed to be “more proactive” and this month met Government representatives to discuss the possibilities. “The intent is essentially, there are 2000-3000 young mums and dads out there looking to get back into the workforce (in the metropolitan area) — is there some way we as an industry can structure jobs to cater for them,” he said. While he said long-haul journeys to regional and remote WA or interstate locations would not be an option, jobs closer to home in Perth’s industrial areas could be restructured to be more accommodating. Several companies have already put their hands up to formulate more flexible arrangements for young parents. “There’s genuine interest,” Mr Dumesny said. “We have three companies working with us now to work out how many workers they need and how they can restructure jobs to cater for them.” Bringing in young parents — as well as targetting the some 5000 17 to 24-year-olds eager to build careers — will also act to bring the average age of the workforce down, Mr Dumesny said. “The average age of the haul driver is 57-years-old,” he said. “In fact, I just took an email that a company just had three to four drivers in their 70s getting their medicals done.” A $6.1 million State Government election commitment to train 1000 workers to drive heavy rigid trucks and road trains is hoped to do the same. Mr Dumesny said the industry could provide young parents with a “clear pathway,” training and give them the opportunity to “progress through the industry”. “One of the great things about our industry is we can actually provide a pathway — I think we need to be a bit more proactive.”