One of the most common problems within all organisations today is how to achieve diversity or equity across the workforce.
Sometimes it’s a function of pay rates, or opportunity for promotion, and sometimes it’s just about opening up opportunities to explore and acquire new skills.
Whilst local governments generally have a diverse workforce with a high percentage of women employees, they tend to be found mainly in management and admin roles, whilst men tend to occupy the majority of ‘outdoor’ jobs, including driving council vans and trucks.
Truck driving in particular is a field that has not attracted a diverse range of employees – despite the well-reported shortage of experienced truck drivers – with the few women in the transport sector finding themselves in high demand.
To encourage more women to join the industry, a number of organisations are making a concerted effort to address the problem by establishing introductory training programs and mentoring that is centric to women.
Building attractive positions for potential employees
Another avenue to address the driver shortage and encourage more women in the truck industry is the arrival of “New Energy” vehicles such as the Foton iBlue Light Duty Electric Truck.
The iBlue now available in Australia is fully ADR approved, and comes in both 4.5t GVM and 6t GVM guises, meaning that at 4.5t it can be driven on a standard car licence.
This opens the door for many who might aspire to enter the industry but were hesitant or unable to immediately acquire a full truck licence.
Furthermore, the experience that can be gained can stand an aspiring employee in good stead if they decide to progress to heavier vehicles.
The same rationale could be applied to the local government sector where councils and shires operate many types of vehicles, including vans, utes, tray trucks and more.
Electric trucks are not only good for the environment*, but they are easier to operate, and are smooth and vibration free and therefore less tiring.
They require less physical input to operate, don’t disturb the neighbourhood with their noise, or emit noxious fumes which can affect both the driver and passers-by.
Creating a more attractive job for all potential employees.
Cutting emissions
Electric trucks present an opportunity for councils to not only move to meet their zero emissions targets, but to open up new employment opportunities to a segment of their workforce who might enjoy the prospect of working outdoors, and learning new skills in a clean, green environment.
Foton Mobility Distribution has just taken delivery of its first major order of 40 iBlue Light Duty electric trucks, with a further 50 due in early 2023.
The organisations who have ordered these vehicles have decided that the time to start the transition to net zero is now and have acted accordingly.
With dealerships established in most states, and others to be finalised shortly, and with excellent warranties on vehicle and batteries, the iBlue is a great stepping off point into the world of cleaner, quieter transport for any local government.
*As at the end of 2021 approximately 129 (24 per cent) of Australia’s 537 local government Instrumentalities had signed up to the Net Zero Pledge.
This is a sponsored editorial brought to you by Foton Mobility, for more information go to fotonmobility.com.au
