Case Studies
Branstrans
The best way to truck is to train
A Traralgon-based transport and logistics business is making the most of changes to the Victorian TAFE and training system.
“We may be a trucking business, but sometimes we joke that our job isn’t transport, it is change management. And it’s not really a joke because change is such a constant in this business we have to keep adapting.” Nola Bransgrove of Traralgon-based long-distance trucking business, Branstrans, is explaining why she and her husband Norm signed up for Skills for Growth: the Workforce Development Program.
Skills for Growth provides eligible businesses with independent specialists to work with them – at no cost – to identify their strategic business aims and objectives, assess staff skills, and place staff into accredited training.It is part of the Victorian Government’s major reform of the Victorian TAFE and training system.
When Nola heard about Skills for Growth she thought it was a good idea for a small business like Branstrans, which does mainly long-distance, interstate general freight including a lot of over-dimensional freight. “Big multinational companies have whole departments to manage their staff training requirements, but when you’re a small business you have to wear so many hats you don’t have the same time, expertise or knowledge as dedicated training staff,” she says.
Skills for Growth is open to all Victorian-based small and medium-sized businesses. To be eligible, your business must employ between one and 200 full-time equivalent staff, have been in operation for at least 12 months and be financially viable.
The training specialist who worked with the Bransgroves had extensive discussions with them and their staff to help clarify goals for the business and for individual career paths. Based on these consultations, a training plan was created for each staff-member, including Nola and Norm.
For Nola, who had previously tried to explore staff training unaided, having the assistance of an industry professional was an eye-opener. “It was great to have someone who knew what was out there,” she says. “I was amazed how broad the range of options were, given we are in a regional area.”
As a result of Skills for Growth, some Branstrans drivers will soon begin their Certificate training in Transport & Logistics (Road Transport), Management Strategies for Fatigue Management and Nola is beginning a Certificate IV in Governance. Administration staff will also be taking some training to enable Branstrans to upgrade its internal quality audit needs. The training specialist also helped the Bransgroves plan for succession.
Michael, one of two Bransgrove sons also working in the business, has enrolled in a Diploma of Logistics. Because this is a higher qualification than the Certificate III Transport & Logistics (Road Transport) he already holds, he is eligible for a government-subsidised place under the Victorian Training Guarantee.
The Victorian Training Guarantee entitles eligible students to government subsidised training through a TAFE institute, university TAFE Division, Adult Community Education organisation, or private Registered Training Organisation (RTO). If a business is looking to up-skill its employees through any of these approved providers a government subsidy will be available to help them meet the cost of their training.
The Bransgrove’s dedication to up-skilling their staff to best-practice standards also lead them to sign the Victorian Skills Pledge. Another component of the reforms to the Victorian training system, the Victorian Skills Pledge is a public declaration by businesses of their commitment to workforce skills development. It also gives businesses a range of marketing opportunities to show customers their commitment to improving the productivity and efficiency of their workforce. The Victorian Skills Pledge is open to businesses of all sizes in all industries.
“I saw taking the Pledge as reflecting our commitment to ensure that our staff had the skill training needed to do their job well and safely. It acknowledges the fact that we do. We think it’s important and that all employers should have that commitment,” Nola says.
For more information about changes to the TAFE and training system, including Skills for Growth, the Victorian Training Guarantee and the Victorian Skills Pledge, visit www.skills.vic.gov.au or contact TDT Victoria on (03) 9326 7211.
Bell's Transport
Need some assistance in business planning?
For Bell’s Transport Bendigo, signing up for the Skills for Growth Program means preparing for the long road ahead.
Owning and running a successful family business is a big achievement for Rick and Sue Bell of Bell’s Transport Bendigo, and they are determined to ensure their business is prepared now that their son Taylor has taken the wheel as General Manager for the company.
Established in the 1950s, Bell’s Transport Bendigo started out running a pet shop and transporting stockfeed, pet feed, horses and skins. When Rick Bell was offered the chance to be a carrier for Orica Australia, he saw this as a great opportunity to grow the business. Since then, Bell’s Transport Bendigo has gone from strength to strength, providing transport and logistic services to the chemical industry. With 17 employees working in varying roles across the organisation, Rick and Sue were having difficulties finding relevant training to meet the needs of all the staff.
“For our company, the main issues we faced were in recruitment and training. Trying to find qualified personnel and the cost and time of training were challenging, as the onus was on us to ensure staff were able to complete daily tasks safely”, said Rick.
“In the Transport and Distribution industry, safety is our number one priority so we wanted to make sure the training we provide to our staff is relevant to the work we do”. The Bells were keen to sign on for Skills for Growth: the Workforce Development Program, registering in May 2009 after discussions with TDT Victoria – one of 25 Service Providers tasked to deliver the Program.
“Registering for the Program has been a great way to up-skill our staff and receiving assistance from the Victorian Government was an opportunity we couldn’t overlook”, said Sue. The Program provides businesses with their choice of an independent specialist to work with business owners and their staff, at no cost, to review staff skills, plan for the future and identify training opportunities for employees.
“We wanted to develop the skills of our staff to ensure we were creating a safe workplace for current and future staff, while also learning to run our business operations more efficiently.” In addition to training needs, the Bells were also looking to improve the current systems and procedures in place at their organisation - with particular focus on reporting and record keeping.
The Bells needed an outsider to look at the business and identify opportunities for improvement. The independent specialist assisted Rick and Sue to develop a Business Diagnostic and Action Plan, which entailed an onsite assessment with special focus on workforce planning, staff training needs and skills development.
By clearly stating the strategic priorities of the business and identifying how to overcome barriers to business performance, Bells Transport now has been able to develop a customised training plan for all employees and make referrals to relevant training programs.
“Through the Program, all of our staff will now undertake the most relevant training in areas like Training and Assessment, Logistics Management, Occupational Health and Safety, Business Administration and Transport and Logistics.” said Rick.
“The customised training has been invaluable to our organisation. The courses are designed to meet the specific needs of our workplace and our workforce. This enables Taylor to train on-site in the future saving him a lot of time and stress.”
“We look forward to seeing the business progress and expand in Taylor’s hands as a direct result from participating in the Skills for Growth Program. We are very pleased with the assistance that has been provided to us and highly recommend it to other operators in the transport industry.”
To register your business or for more information, visit: www.business.vic.gov.au/skillsforgrowth or call 13 22 15
