People
Driver Training
Traineeships
State Transit aims for excellence in training our Bus Drivers. As a Registered Training Organisation State Transit is able to provide accredited, job-based training and assessment ensuring that our drivers achieve competencies to the national industry standard.
Certificate III in Transport and Distribution (Road Transport) is a critical element of our Driver Training Program where all new Bus Operators are required to undertake a two-year traineeship. State Transit also offers the qualification to longer-term Bus Operators through the Existing Worker Traineeship Program.
In the past financial year 371 new trainees and 72 existing workers are enrolled in the program and a total of 263 Bus Operators successfully completed the full 2 years of the traineeship.
Driver Skills Maintenance Program
State Transit has implemented an industry-leading program to maintain the skills and knowledge of bus operators. The two-day Driver Skills Maintenance Program targets existing bus operators not currently undertaking a traineeship and is the second key component of State Transit’s Driver Training Program.
This program maintains driver’s currency of skills and knowledge in the following aspects of their role:
- Road rules and driving skills
- Hazards and risks
- Customer comfort and safety
- Radio Communication
- Driver health and wellbeing
A highly innovative approach is taken to improving driving skills, using state of the art computer based driver diagnosis and assessment system. The VIGIL Vanguard system monitors and visually records the driver's traffic decisions and positioning, acceleration, braking and cornering activity whilst driving. The system is also aligned to international and RTA competency standards. Drivers receive a comprehensive debriefing and analysis of their driving, and are supported with further training where required.
Leadership Development Programs
Management Development Program
State Transit continues to invest in developing the capability of managers and leaders at all levels. State Transit’s Management Development Program offers a variety of developmental opportunities including formal training, workshops, work-based projects, coaching, mentoring, and leadership forums.
A key component of the programs are the work-based projects, focusing on business improvement and change which have resulted in improved safety, running times and customer service. In the last financial year 39 managers graduated from the program, and a further 38 commenced.
The program provides managers with opportunity to gain a nationally recognised graduate certificate level qualification.
Frontline Supervisor Program
State Transit’s supervisor development program is the Certificate IV in Business (Frontline Management). The program focuses on building supervisor capability in the key areas of People Management; Safety and Environment; Planning and Operations; and Continuous Improvement. In the past financial year 64 supervisors have participated in the program.
Graduate Program
State Transit has a long-term objective of fostering quality candidates for management roles, and continues to expand the graduate program to achieve this goal. In 2006-2007 the graduate intake included graduates in operations, marketing, safety, engineering, and human resource disciplines. The graduate program provides for wide exposure to all aspects of the organisation through structured placements and rotation, and project work. Read more.
Registered Training Organisation
State Transit Authority is accredited as a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) by the NSW Vocational Education & Accreditation Board (VETAB) to deliver nationally recognised training and qualifications, as part of the National Training Framework.
There have been significant changes put in place by the State Transit RTO over the past year in response to national reform of the vocational training sector and the requirements of the new Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) standards.
These changes in the standards focus on the outcomes of training and improving performance at work. A key focus of improvements at State Transit RTO has been on the quality and consistency of training and ongoing development of our trainers.
The State Transit RTO currently has the following qualifications in scope:
- Certificate III in Transport & Distribution (Road Transport),
- Certificate IV in Business (Frontline Management)
Workforce Change Culture and Equity
Commitment to Equity and Diversity
The Chief Executive Officer’s Equity and Diversity Steering Committee met three times during the reporting year to set and monitor the strategic direction for the Equity and Diversity Program within State Transit.
A key initiative has been the training of staff in equity and diversity issues through our mainstream training programs – Induction, Driver Skills Maintenance Program and Management Development Program.
During the reporting year, State Transit became a member of the Australian Employers Network On Disability.
Action Plan for Women
A targeted recruitment campaign was conducted to attract women to bus operator positions. It involved the development and distribution of brochures marketing the availability of part time bus operator positions.
60 women attended the State Transit Women’s Forum in October 2006 which provided opportunities for professional development, discussion of topics of interest, and feedback on issues that are important to women in State Transit.
State Transit continued to implement the NSW Government’s Spokeswomen’s Programme. In State Transit, the Spokeswomen’s Programme is a specific initiative for the development of women bus operators. There are 13 Spokeswomen and their role is to provide information and support to women bus operators within the organisation.