Driving towards lasting careers
A training partnership between Brisbane City Council and TAFE Queensland is enhancing the skills and safety of the city’s bus drivers and increasing driver retention.
Overview
Since 2019, Brisbane City Council has partnered with TAFE Queensland to deliver specialised training through the Certificate III in Driving Operations (TLI31222). This partnership is focused on supporting the Council's large workforce of drivers by equipping them with the practical skills and knowledge required to operate safely and effectively in their roles.
TAFE Queensland's approach combines hands-on, engaging training in areas such as heavy vehicle operation, fatigue management, safety, and communication. This ensures drivers are well-prepared to meet the demands of their roles and uphold high safety standards across operations.
The training delivered as part of the transport and logistics portfolio also includes:
- Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology (AUR31120)
- Certificate III in Automotive Manufacturing Technical Operations – Bus, Truck and Trailer (AUM30218)
- Certificate III in Engineering – Fixed and Mobile Plant Mechanic (MEM31419)
- Working Safely at Heights Skill Set (SSRII0006)
- Non-accredited Course - Secure Loading (NONAC08133)
- Chain of Responsibility Skill Set (SSTLI0016)
This program also strengthens Brisbane City Council's position as an employer of choice within the transport and logistics sector, supporting workforce retention and long-term capability building.
Brisbane City Council
Brisbane City Council is the largest local government in Australia and employs more than 7000 people, making it one of Queensland’s largest employers.
This workforce is dedicated to delivering a wide range of services including roads and infrastructure, public transport, environmental protection, and community planning, to support the city’s population of over 1.2 million residents.
Opportunity
Brisbane City Council has a large public transport network, two thirds of which is comprised of bus trips, and has a large driver workforce to support this network.
A standout year for recruitment of drivers was 2023, with the Council embarking on a recruitment campaign to hire more than 400 drivers, growing their bus driving workforce to 2,600 to meet the city's public transport needs. This increased recruitment from Brisbane City Council required TAFE Queensland to similarly increase its training availablity to meet demand.
Solution
TAFE Queensland developed a tailored training plan for Brisbane City Council’s bus drivers that prioritised their ‘safety first’ culture, delivering consistent, high-volume training to meet workforce demand.
The program is structured to run three sessions per week with up to 15 trainees per session, equating to approximately 45 trainees per week across 49 weeks each year. This scalable delivery model ensures the Council can continue to upskill new and existing drivers efficiently while maintaining high training standards.
Results
The partnership has delivered significant outcomes for Brisbane City Council’s driver workforce and operational capability.
Since 2019, more than 980 qualifications have been issued, strengthening workforce capability and professionalism across the organisation.
Engagement with training pathways has been strong, with enrolment activity increasing significantly from 2023 onwards, reflecting sustained demand for driver training.
This success is supported by a structured, high-capacity delivery model that has enabled the training of hundreds of drivers over the life of the partnership, helping to meet the Council’s growing workforce and service demands. Together, these outcomes demonstrate the success of the partnership in delivering scalable, industry-aligned training that supports safe, reliable public transport services across Brisbane.
Future plans
Looking to the future, a comprehensive training program for bus drivers in the lead-up to the Brisbane Olympics is critical. The Games will bring a large influx of visitors, athletes, and officials to Brisbane, necessitating a well-prepared and efficient public transport system.
According to the Council’s The race to gold – Brisbane’s Games Transport Legacy proposal, the Council is committed to ensuring that bus drivers are thoroughly trained in safe driving practices and emergency protocols to maintain a high standard of safety and reliability during the Games.
Furthermore, well-trained drivers can provide better customer service and ensure smooth operations, contributing to a positive experience for all passengers.
Brisbane City Council will continue its strong partnership with TAFE Queensland to train their bus drivers to achieve these goals. TAFE Queensland’s industry experienced trainers will continue to provide tailored instruction on safe driving practices and protocols, with the partnership not only addressing the immediate needs of the Council but also contributing to the long-term development of a highly skilled and reliable bus driving workforce.