Truck driver Shayna Tipene of Auckland-based Machinery Relocations says gaining industry-related qualifications has helped her understand more about fatigue and other health factors affecting the performance of commercial road transport drivers.

Shayna found herself drawn to the world of transport, following in the footsteps of her trucking- oriented family.

“I grew up surrounded by family members who worked in the trucking industry. My dad, my two brothers, my cousin— they’re all in trucking. I’ve always had a passion for trucks. The bigger they are, the better they are,” she says.

“The open road, and the size of trucks, for me, creates a really calming environment. It was an easy decision to join the industry.”

Shayna’s journey officially began four years ago with Machinery Relocations. Her introduction to formal training came when her boss informed her about a free programme offered by MITO – Te Pūkenga. Eager to enhance her skills, she enrolled in various programmes, including;

• the Introduction to Commercial Road Transport micro-credential
• Commercial Road Transport – Heavy Combination Vehicle Loading Fundamentals micro-credential
• Commercial Road Transport – Driver Safety micro-credential
• Commercial Road Transport – Mass & Dimensions micro- credential ’ and finally the
• Level 3 New Zealand Certificate in Commercial Road Transport – (Heavy Vehicle Operator)

“I found the programmes extremely relevant to the work I was doing in my job,” Shayna says.

“There were lots of practical benefits of the programmes. I learned a lot on where to place loads on my truck, and the proper way of tying them down,” she says.

“I’ve also learned the ins and outs of the truck motor, which was really interesting to me. There are a lot of things I didn’t know about a truck that I have actually become quite fond of. All the parts, and what certain parts do and how they operate. It actually makes me want to go into mechanics and fix diesel trucks.”

Shayna says training and education plays a critical role in ensuring safety and job proficiency within the transport sector.

“Whether you are new coming into the industry, or you’ve been at it awhile, you’re always going to learn new things, and sometimes you have to go back to basics, because the industry is always changing,” she says.

“Getting trained on how to do certain jobs within our industry is so important when it comes to safety.

“One of the programmes I did really helped me manage my fatigue, which is a really serious issue in our industry.”