Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Scott Emerson enjoying the International Women’s Day breakfast in Brisbane.
The gender agenda appears to be gaining momentum in Queensland, as participants found at the Queensland Trucking Association’s International Women’s Day breakfast in Brisbane.
With a sold out audience and a waiting list of hopeful attendees, this was the second annual event for the association. The host for the day QTA CEO Peter Garske said: “this event is in its second year and continues to attract strong support from our industry.
“Women make a significant contribution to the transport and logistics industry, and this event is unique in the Australian trucking industry calendar in that it recognises their contribution,” he said.
Emberin managing director and MC for the event Louise Perram-Fisk said that there is some way to go yet. “In road freight, we have 12.2% female representation. It is definitely growing, but we have a way to go to reach the Australian workforce standard. Support for events like this will make a difference.”
With a panel clear about the valuable contribution of women to industry, the audience were engaged as they listened to the discussion between Kevin Campbell, CEO, Transpacific Industries and Paul Kahlert, general manager, All Purpose Transport. Representing the women in the industry were Nicole Holyer, HR advisor, DP World and SCLAA (Q) Future Leader 2012 and Tracie Dickenson, Partner, Daryl Dickenson Transport and QTA Trucking Women of the Year 2012.
Paul Kahlert, general manager, APT summed up the view of panel: “It’s a no-brainer. We need the best talent we can get, and often that is a woman.”
The International Womens Day breakfast will once again feature in the 2014 QTA calendar of industry events.