CVIAQ member companies, State Government officials and representatives from the TAFE training campuses gathered at the Jindalee Hotel on Thursday 17th June 2010 to launch the Industry Ambassadors Program.

The Industry Ambassador Program takes high achieving final year mechanical apprentices or recently qualified technicians and provides them leadership and communication training to prepare them as industry ambassadors for presentations at schools, career expos and industry events.

Due to the lack of knowledge and awareness of the industry in the community it has been difficult for the heavy commercial vehicle industry to attract high quality people into the workforce. The Industry Ambassador Program through community engagement events will be able to showcase the industry and the magnitude of rewarding career paths that are on offer.

The ongoing community engagement will enhance community perception and awareness of the industry and assist in attracting high quality candidates into the industry.

The leadership and communication skills gained by the participants will improve the workplace learning environment where the transfer of knowledge between technicians and apprentices is so important in skilling the workforce.

Participants will receive training that are competencies from the Australian Qualification Training Framework which will allow them the opportunity to further expand their career development in the future to reach a qualification such as a Certificate IV in Frontline Management.
 
The Industry Ambassador Program will be strategically used to target areas and individuals that have been identified by an industry workforce survey. The workforce survey investigates not only the changing demographics of the workforce but also the factors that influence career decisions of the workforce in relation to attraction, development and retention.
 
The Industry Ambassadors Program will be supported by other initiatives such as an updated industry careers website which gives potential new entrants the opportunity to engage and experience the industry. This may occur through CVIAQ run programs such as the School to Industry Tours, work experience and industry events at the Queensland Truck and Machinery Show.

Special thanks goes to MTU Detroit Diesel Australia, Cummins South Pacific, Volvo Group Australia, Mercedes Benz Commercial Vehicles, Brisbane Isuzu, The Brown & Hurley Group, Krueger Transport Equipment and Lusty EMS who are providing participants for the initial industry ambassador program.

All stakeholders were represented at the launch and relationships have been strengthened to ensure these initiatives are promoted and successful outcomes achieved.