Cost can be a significant barrier for transport operators when considering implementing formal training into their business.

Neil Collier, an assessor and industry mentor for MITO, says formal training can make a big difference not only for drivers, but for business operations, and affordable options are out there.

“With all the new technology in trucks and new regulations and guidelines, there’s a lot to learn. Not just for the new guys coming out of school, but for experienced drivers who need to learn how to operate new systems and ensure they are practising correct driving behaviour,” Neil says.

Neil has been in the transport game for more than 30 years, and as well as being a driver, he has been a manager and trainer – developing quality drivers from scratch. He began working with MITO about five years ago.

“In the mentoring capacity, I help drivers with paperwork, assessments, everything they need when they are completing MITO’s micro-credential programme. If they have any issues, I can point them in the right direction.

“For assessments, I go with the learners in the truck while they do the practical side of the assessments,” Neil says.

Neil says that with younger drivers, he sees that they are keen to learn but often don’t have the confidence to ask questions.

“I tell them no question is a dumb question. They need a bit of encouragement to put their hand up. But when they do, they listen. The biggest thing with young people is giving them an outcome – showing them what could happen if they do this or do that, whether it is a positive or negative outcome,” he says.

“With experienced drivers, sometimes they can say, ‘Oh, I’ve been doing this for 25 years’, and you have to show them why learning these things and completing these assessments is worth their while.”

Neil says that while cost can be a barrier for some transport operators, the benefits of training outweigh the amount spent. MITO’s Drivers Safety, Introduction to Commercial Road Transport or Heavy Combination Vehicle Loading Fundamentals micro-credential programmes are quick and easy to complete and supply the basic knowledge and skills required.

“MITO is an affordable option for training. It is quality training that gets drivers thinking, and with young drivers, if they do something incorrectly, they work hard to get it right the next time,” he says.

“MITO is a good outlet to get people in the game, and we need players.”