For immediate release 
1 June 2006

EDUCATION MINISTER CONGRATULATES INDUSTRY
FOR TACKLING SKILL SHORTAGES

Facing a critical shortage of skills in the transport industry, Toll Holdings Limited was not prepared to sit back and wait for the Government to address the issue.

Toll has teamed up with TDT Australia, the National Industry Skills Council for Transport and Logistics, to establish ‘Toll Virtual’ – an enterprise learning practice firm – which was launched last week in South Australia at an Australian Logistics Council meeting.

PRACTICE FIRMS are simulated businesses that are set up and run by students as part of their study program with support from a facilitator and mentors from a real business – in this case Toll Australia. Toll Virtual conducts business with other practice firms, (from other industries and other schools) in a simulated economy on a local, national or international basis.

The Hon Julie Bishop MP, Minister for Education, Science and Training said “I congratulate TDT Australia and the Toll Group on this wonderful partnership that invests in skill development for the benefit of Australian youth and the future economic growth of Australia.”

Paul Little, CEO, Toll Holdings Limited is 100% behind the program, “These programs and initiatives are crucial in creating the growth platform for attracting and retaining people in our industry.”

Leanne Brown, Learning & Development Manager, Toll Holdings Limited added, “When first approached by TDT, we were excited about this opportunity, as our industry faces a critical shortage of skilled workers.”

The Toll Virtual project uses practice firms (virtual companies) to give selected students (predominantly Year 9-11s) with an entrepreneurial bent the chance to gain experience and skills working in real world roles within virtual companies.

This exposes students, their parents and teachers to the many jobs on offer in the transport and logistics industry, and creates a new career path into logistics management diplomas.

Cinthia Del Grosso, National Manager, Strategic Planning and Business Development with TDT Australia explains the importance of the Toll Virtual initiative, “The enthusiastic support and participation of industry giant TOLL Group shows how highly Industry regards EL.

“It is the most innovative program the transport and logistics industry has ever undertaken. Reaching young people (especially those who haven’t considered careers in transport and logistics) is a major challenge for an industry facing acute skills shortages.”

Leanne Brown agrees, “Whilst there are no quick-fixes, we aim to change and develop perceptions of our industry, and attract new entrants, particularly young people.

“Students can gain recognised qualifications (eg VET in Schools, Certificate II) by participating in the Practice Firm which can provide a pathway into Logistics Management Diplomas.

“EL provides creative students with the opportunity to develop entrepreneurial skills and no-risk real world experience and also the chance to build relationships with highly respected industry mentors. This makes them infinitely more attractive to employers like Toll and others in the Transport and Logistics Industry than the average student.”

ABOUT ENTERPRISE LEARNING (EL) AND PRACTICE FIRMS

EL is part of a well established and highly successful network of national and international Practice Firms that are giving students worldwide the chance to gain working skills and ethics without the risk involved in outlaying money to start their own companies. The Australian Network of Practice Firms has been operating for 10 years but hasn’t included transport until now.

TDT Australia, the Industry Skills Council for the Transport and Logistics Industry, is coordinating EL for the transport industry nationally. Key participants include industry leader TOLL (supplying industry mentors) and state ITABs (working with secondary schools and tertiary institutions in each state to deliver EL nationally).

Students are expected to spend a minimum of three hours per week (for one or two school years) working in a practice firm (TOLL Virtual) that provides transport and logistics services to other practice firms (eg manufacturers who need virtual goods transported nationally).

For more information or to arrange an interview contact:
Kate Engler, dolphinbewley public relations 03 5258 4114 or 0412 526 851

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