MC licence pilot program receives industry, government tick of approval

Fennell Forestry's Multi Combination (MC) licensing pilot program has received the official tick of approval from industry and government, as plans for its state roll-out gain momentum.

The licensing program is designed to get better drivers on the road sooner, thanks to competency-based training and waiving of the legislated 12 months a Heavy Combination (HC) licence holder must wait before attempting to upgrade to an MC licence.

The Australia-first program is an initiative of Fennell Forestry Managing Director Wendy Fennell and has been trialled within the business for the past4 years, backed by the State Government.

It has also gained widespread support from within the transport industry, awarded the South Australian Road Transport Association's (SARTA) inaugural Con Diamond Memorial Innovation Award at the 2024 conference and dinner event in Adelaide on 3 August.

"The program has been rigorously tested by an independent, government-appointed expert, who has backed the licencing and training recommendations I put forward," Ms Fennell said.

"SA Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Tom Koutsantonis also announced to attendees at the SARTA conference that he planned to implement the program state-wide. This can only be a good thing for our industry."

The program's true-competency training model provides mentorship from experienced mentor drivers in an authentic operational environment. Training is conducted in the cab, on the job in Kenworth B-Doubles while delivering log from the forest to mills across the Green Triangle.

Six highly-skilled B-Double drivers have graduated from the program during its 4 year trial phase.

Ms Fennell said true-competency training meant learner drivers would train until they could do the job - a change from current regulations which require a mandatory 12-month wait period without any requirement for driving hours.

"This puts a huge strain on businesses and aspiring B-Double drivers, further fuelling critical skill shortages currently affecting the heavy transport industry," she said.

"This program has proven it can deliver a higher standard of driver and removes one of the barriers to entry into the industry - a big positive for drivers, employers and industry alike.

"State and national roll-out is a must."