Blog Interview – What does a career in Freight and Logistics look like?

Did you have any hobbies or interests when you were young that you can see relates to your career now?

I’m a mad soccer supporter, you need discipline and structure to play and be selected for the team. That’s what I can see relates to my career now, discipline, structure and organisational skills. These are skills I’ve been able to use in the industry. Also the patience! The patience to know that if you keep training, you’re going to get out what you’re putting in. The patience to work alongside people. There are so many different personalities and cultures within any organisation, same with sport.

What do you think are the most important skills that young people could build on now to be to employable?

We like people who have had a part time job. People that have worked at Maccas or Coles type chains, because they’ve experienced busy periods, customer interaction, prioritising and organisational skills as well as different levels of stress and problem solving. So, when there are issues, you’ll understand what has happened, why and/or how to fix it. You may be able to come up with your own solutions one day by changing a process. Freight Forwarding changes with the times and these chains are very similar in that sense.

What are the common misconceptions of your industry?

The common misconceptions that we often hear are people thinking our industry is driving trucks and forklifts. It really isn’t. Freight Forwarding is about being apart of an organisation, perhaps within a department, organising shipments from exporters door to importers door, the collating of documents, for Customs clearance and trying to get everything ready within a tight timeframes whilst trying to provide a good customer experience. With experience, training & time you will find that often you are somewhat of a consultant and problem solver, assisting your customer with any challenges that may arise along the way. It is a lot different to that perception.

What made you consider doing a traineeship?

I was at that stage where I had finished high school, my friends were all going off to Uni, or TAFE and they were in the process of getting their qualifications and moving forward. I felt I needed to do something; otherwise I was going to be left behind. I was at an age where my parents were looking at me to make my next move. So, there was a bit of pressure at home. The traineeship was a way for me to get a nationally recognised qualification and gain a regular income. This meant, long term, I could travel around Australia and get a job if need be. It also allowed me to go to University afterwards as a pathway and I was building a solid foundation. I felt like all the boxes were being ticked. I didn’t want to just do a full-time job, they were out there, forklift driving, stocking shelves, things like that. Full time work, earning good money but no clear career progression. I sacrificed and invested in something that gave me experience and a qualification, if I wanted to try something else after I could because I could always come back to freight.

How did you go finding a job after the traineeship?

There are about 6000 competitors in Victoria alone with in the freight forwarding industry. There are a lot of companies that are looking for that new blood. The aim of a Traineeship is to be taken on by the host company after completing your traineeship. I was lucky enough to be taken on by the company that I was hosted out to and I ended up staying there for several years. It was really good. There were a lot of young people on traineeships so we were able to bounce off each other regarding course work and I made lifelong friends as well.

How did you come to be a trainer with My Freight Career?

I remember being given a chance to be a Trainee and thinking wow I would love to help someone one day like I was helped. Also I use to notice the Trainers coming into meet with the trainees and I had my own trainer as well. I saw what they did and it’s just something that always appealed to me. It’s funny, because it has always been sitting in the back of my mind, but never at the forefront. I got to a point, where I’d kind of done everything that I wanted to do at that stage of my career. I’d been involved with Freight Forwarding operation jobs like deliveries, imports, exports, accounts, customs, and customer service, I thought, I want something more. So, I wrote a letter to My Freight Career just saying thanks for the opportunity that you gave me and for investing in me such a long time ago. I also asked that if any opportunities should arise in the future to let me know. They actually had a job opportunity at the time and I was contacted and flown to Sydney to meet the extended team. I was offered a position, so you could say I’ve come full circle in a way. Trainee to Trainer!

How could the industry be better promoted to young people’s perceptions?

It is a tricky one. I think it helps to be involved in career days particularly at schools and just talk to the students. I mean, the word, ‘Freight’ – you don’t really hear it a lot when you’re at school. I didn’t know what it was when I was in school either. Maybe that word needs to be thrown around a bit more in society. There is a massive stigma around parents wanting kids to go to University. We hear that our traineeship would be a good second or third option if Uni doesn’t work out. I would love for people to be ready and come to us even before they finish high school. I know people that have left high school to become a mechanic, plumber or electrician. Those things are out there, everyone knows about them. It’d be awesome if people thought of our industry as an option and something they could invest in.