Bendigo business judged small employer of the year at Victorian Training Awards

Minister for Higher Education and Skills Nick Wakeling congratulated the organisation on its outstanding achievement. 

Power’s Country Express employs 36 staff to run a freight service to Bendigo, Castlemaine, Maryborough, Kyneton, Rochester, Echuca and overnight to Melbourne using vehicles ranging from one-tonne vans to B double trucks.

The East Bendigo-based business was a finalist in the 2012 Victorian Training Awards and won the 2012 Australian Freight Industry Investment In People Award.

Mr Wakeling said Power’s had realised the best way to increase company growth was by investing in its people and, in 2011, engaged JKR Training to deliver a nationally-accredited program to upskill its workforce. 

He said 90 per cent of staff had successfully completed a Certificate III in Transport and Logistics and undergone training in dangerous goods, manual handling and chain of responsibility modules.'' 

Victorian Training Awards category winners received a $10,000 fellowship and automatic qualification for the 2014 Australian Training Awards. 

Mr Wakeling said the successes of organisations like Power’s Country Express showed the Victorian Coalition Government had delivered on its commitment to develop job-ready skills and enhance employment outcomes across the state. 

“Each of this year’s 14 award category winners are a tremendous example of the benefits that come from our TAFE and training system  being Australia’s most diverse, modern and well-funded,” Mr Wakeling said. 

“Victoria’s training system has set a benchmark that is being replicated by other States.” 

“The strength of Victoria’s training system is underpinned by the Napthine Government’s record $1.2 billion per year investment in TAFE and training – a 50 per cent increase on Labor’s last budget in 2010.  

“Our industry-focused training system in Victoria has ensured 72 per cent of training is in areas of skills shortage and employment growth – more than ever before.”