Driving
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CAREER
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ABOUT THE NZ ROAD FREIGHT TRANSPORT INDUSTRY
No single industry impacts more on the economic success of New Zealand than the road transport industry. Everything people need in their
daily lives is delivered by trucks: the goods in shops and supermarkets, our agricultural and manufacturing products and all the services we
take for granted.
As New Zealand’s economy expands trucks will be needed to keep the country growing. It is expected that trucks will still carry over 90% of
all domestic freight in 2042.
The road transport industry:
• Operates about 22,500 trucks
• Directly employs over 25,000 people. An estimated 15,000 more people are indirectly employed to provide services ranging from vehicle
equipment and maintenance to legal and accounting advice.
• Generates $6 billion in turnover each year.
YOUR ROUTE TO A CAREER IN ROAD TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS
The Road Transport Forum and its associations are working with industry training organisations, employers and candidates to place people
into exciting roles within the road freight industry.
“Whether you are a high school leaver, a tertiary education graduate or just looking for a change of career the road freight industry offers
professional opportunities to suit most people.
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PROFESSIONAL DRIVER
What’s the job?
The professional truck driver has one of the most important jobs in the New Zealand economy. He or she is personally
responsible for literally millions of dollars’ worth of machinery and freight. The job can be extremely rewarding and is
fantastic for those who enjoy getting out-and-about and dealing directly with customers and suppliers.
Achieve qualifications while you are earning!
You need a heavy vehicle licence to drive the various types of vehicles prevalent in the industry. Heavy vehicle licences
are obtained by passing practical tests. The time it takes to qualify for each test is reduced if you undergo formal onthe-job training.
Training includes qualifications such as the National Certificate in Goods Service (Core Skills) (Level 2), the National
Certificate in Goods Service (Heavy Vehicle Driver) (Level 3) and the National Certificate in Commercial Road Transport
(Heavy Vehicle Operator) (Level 3).
The future
Your job prospects are extremely good. The ongoing growth of the road freight industry means that transport operators
are consistently on the lookout for new qualified drivers.
The experience you gain driving for someone else will give you the opportunity to become an owner driver, fleet owner
or transport business owner as you become more familiar with the industry.
AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES AND REPAIR
What’s the job?
Keeping New Zealand’s road transport fleet on the road is a big job, in every respect. If you enjoy working with large
high-tech machinery in a role that is central to the success of the whole industry then look no further.
The job typically involves the inspection of trucks for electrical, mechanical and electronic faults and the repair of faulty
components such as engines, fuel systems, hydraulic systems, transmissions, brakes, steering, suspension, and support
equipment including forklifts, excavators and other heavy machinery.
Achieve qualifications while you are earning!
The National Certificate in Motor Industry (Automotive Heavy Engineering) (Levels 3 and 4) strand in Road Transport is an
industry qualification designed for those interested in the overall servicing and repair of all aspects of heavy road freight
transport vehicles and other machinery.
The future
Your job prospects are extremely good. New Zealand is facing a shortage of skilled heavy automotive technicians. Coupled
with the ongoing growth of the road transport and construction sectors automotive heavy engineering skills will be highly
sought after, so much so that one day you may be in a position to start your own business.
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ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT SERVICE
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What’s the job?
Road freight transport is a competitive commercial industry and transport operators rely on highly skilled administration,
marketing, support and clerical staff to help efficiently run their businesses. These are rewarding roles in dynamic
companies that often suit people who have had experience in other sectors and are keen to try their hand in businesses
at the sharp end of the New Zealand economy.
Achieve qualifications while you are earning!
There are a wide variety of tertiary-level courses that are relevant to this side of the transport industry, including university
and polytechnic level marketing, management and business courses.
The industry offers a one-year National Certificate in Business (First Line Management) (Level 4) programme that provides
insight into how effective businesses work and delivers a nationally recognised qualification.
The future
The qualifications and skills you would bring to these roles are transferrable across the industry and wider economy. A
support services role within the transport industry will provide you with workplace experience that is second-to-none and
is relevant to your future career ambitions inside and outside the road transport sector.
WAREHOUSING, DISTRIBUTION & LOGISTICS
What’s the job?
In the operation of warehousing, distribution and logistics you are responsible for the efficient and safe storage, handling
and loading of large quantities of freight. As the dispatch and distribution of freight are so critical to the industry and the
New Zealand economy these roles require a high degree of professionalism.
Achieve qualifications while you are earning!
The National Certificate in International Freight Forwarding (Level 3 and 4) programmes provide students with the
knowledge and skills to successfully engage in the international movement of freight.
The National Certificate in Distribution (Level 2) covers the skills required for the safe processing and handling of goods
in a distribution facility, while the National Certificate in Domestic Relocations Operations (Level 2) and the National
Certificate in International Relocations Operations (Level 2) are designed for those already employed in either the
international or domestic sector of the relocations industry.
The future
Once you have gained the necessary skills and experience you can set your sights on becoming an operations manager,
dispatch supervisor or eventually a general manager. Your experience will also present other opportunities within the
industry including as a professional driver or in support service roles.
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TRANSPORT ENGINEERING
What’s the job?
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Transport engineering is another fascinating aspect of the road transport industry. Transport engineers plan, design and
operate many of the vehicles and equipment relied upon by road freight transport operators to carry, secure and shift all
types of loads.
The legal specifications for heavy vehicles and other componentry is constantly changing, providing transport engineers
with plenty of scope to design and improve hardware to suit the requirements of the industry.
Achieve qualifications while you are earning!
The industry offers a range of qualifications for those interested in mechanical and general engineering. The National
Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Levels 2 – 4), the Diploma in Engineering Practice (Level 6) and the National
Certificate in Welding (Level 3 and 4) all have direct relevance to the road freight transport industry
and can be completed while you work.
The future
Once qualified you will be highly sought-after across the road transport industry. With
further experience you could supervise and run workshops and even start your own
business servicing the industry.
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A change of career and a recently completed National Certificate
in Motor Industry (Automotive Heavy Engineering) (Levels 3 and
4) has Beau Curtis, an Automotive Heavy Engineering Apprentice
at Truck Stops Whangarei, now doing what he loves.
“Fixing things that are broken along with the wide range of tasks
you get to do, means every day is different,” according to Beau.
Having now completed his first formal qualification, Beau is
aware of what it could do for his career. “I’d definitely recommend
getting a qualification as it really develops your skills and
greatly increases your opportunities. It could potentially take
me anywhere.”
Piripi Taitua was 21 years old and needed to get a foot in
the door while local transport company Phillips & O’Brien
needed an extra pair of hands for 2 weeks. 2 weeks
has turned into 18 months and Piripi is now a full-time
professional store person.
Piripi reckons he is learning so much from working in the
warehouse including how to load and unload different
types of freight, drive a forklift, distribute load weight
evenly across a truck and safely tie down a load.
Piripi aims to get his class 2 licence drive a small truck
doing local deliveries while working towards his class 5.
Eventually he wants to drive one of the company’s line haul
combination rigs.
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23 year old Gemma is an Office Administrator at
Phillips & O’Brien Ltd.
Road freight transport has been a part of Gemma’s life
since she was a little girl, spending a lot of time with
her dad in his truck.
It is Gemma’s goal to get out there driving. She enjoys
learning about all parts of the industry and is keen
to use this experience to get a class 5 heavy vehicle
license and own her own transport business.
At 24 Brayden Jones is a man who knows what he wants.
In the short term he is aiming to get his class 5 heavy
vehicle licence so that he can become an owner driver or
own his own transport company.
Having always wanted to drive trucks Brayden finds the
most enjoyable part of his job simply getting to drive all
over Auckland and being out and about every day.
Since starting with Vernon Carriers Brayden hasn’t looked
back. He’s on his way to achieving his goals.
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To drive your future career talk to your careers advisor or Gateway coordinator
about opportunities in the road transport and logistics industry.
You can also contact the Road Transport Forum New Zealand or one of its member
associations who can give you guidance and point you in the right direction.
MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS:
www.rtanz.co.nz
0800 367 782
admin@rtanz.co.nz
www.rtfnz.co.nz
(04) 472 3877
forum@rtf.nz
www.natroad.co.nz
0800 686 777
enquiries@natroad.co.nz
www.nztruckingassn.co.nz
0800 338 338
info@nztruckingassn.co.nz