Tasmanian Transport & Logistics VET in Schools Pilot

This project enables a groundbreaking opportunity for secondary students in Tasmania to kickstart a career in Transport & Logistics (T&L).

For the first time in Tasmania, students will be able to earn a Certificate II in Supply Chain Operations while still at school. The program combines classroom learning with hands-on work experience through placements with local T&L businesses.

The Transport and Logistics 2025 Workforce Plan identified a major challenge: the industry struggles to attract and retain workers. This issue affects businesses, supply chains, and the broader Australian economy.

Barriers include:

• Limited awareness of career opportunities in T&L
• Misconceptions about the industry
• A lack of school-to-work pathways

To address these challenges, Industry Skills Australia (ISA) is piloting this VET in Schools program, developed in collaboration with the Tasmanian Trucking Association, Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP), local schools and T&L companies.

Students in Years 11 and 12 from schools in Tasmania will:

• Begin introductory learning and industry exposure in 2026
• Complete 14 units of competency over 12 months in 2027
• Receive a Certificate II in Supply Chain Operations upon completion

Training will be delivered at various Tasmanian High Schools, with practical experience provided by local industry partners.

This initiative aims to:

• Build a pipeline of skilled workers for Tasmania’s T&L industry
• Support student transitions from school to employment
• Improve industry perceptions and promote career pathways

• Develop industry-specific pre-employment training programs
• Promote the benefits of T&L careers (e.g. competitive wages, job security, career progression)
• Provide schools with course learning and assessment materials - for five core and nine elective units
• Facilitate industry visits, guest lectures, and structured work experience opportunities to attract school students to the industry and develop their interest in a T&L industry career path.
• Collaborate with the Tasmanian Trucking Association and its member networks to create employment opportunities after student’s complete school.
• Deliver a model for adoption by DECYP across Tasmania
• Lay the foundation for national rollout in secondary schools

The VET in Schools pilot program in Tasmania represents a major advancement for the transport and logistics industry, offering a practical solution to long-standing workforce challenges. By allowing secondary students to earn a Certificate II in Supply Chain Operations while still at school, the initiative helps build a skilled local talent pool and supports smoother transitions from education into employment.

The program also provides a scalable model that could be adopted nationally. This lays the groundwork for broader workforce development and long-term sustainability across Australia’s transport supply chain.