Driver Trainer

Strait-Link-Shipping-Pty-Ltd; Hobart; On-site; AUD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Strait Link in Tasmania is seeking a hands-on Driver Trainer to build driver capability and promote safe, compliant driving across our Tasmanian operations.

You will train, coach, assess and mentor drivers from pre-employment through to ongoing competency verification, with regular travel across the state and close collaboration with site leaders and drivers.

Qualifications

• Proven experience delivering driver training, coaching or competency-based assessments.
• Experience with heavy vehicle operations and NHVR/COR obligations.
• Knowledge of load restraint, fatigue management and dangerous goods procedures.

Responsibilities

• Deliver practical driver training, coaching and competency assessments.
• Support onboarding and development of new drivers across the business.
• Conduct pre-employment driving assessments and provide feedback on suitability.
• Lead VoC assessments and ongoing driver development activities.
• Coach drivers on safety, compliance and company standards.
• Deliver training on fatigue management, coupling/uncoupling, start-up training, Chain of Responsibility and manual handling.
• Collaborate with site leaders and buddy drivers to maintain training standards.
• Identify development opportunities and provide targeted coaching to improve capability and safety.

Skills

Heavy vehicle training

Coaching

VoC/competency assessments

Telematics/GPS

Training records/LMS

Strong communication

Safety compliance

Independent work

Education

Lead Training and Assessment Cert IV

Year 10 (Year 12 preferred)

HC licence

MSIC/Transports Card

MC preferred

Tools

LMS

Job description

Strait Link has a proud history of being a vital link between Victoria and Tasmania, providing daily sea freight services between Port of Melbourne in Victoria and the Port Burnie in Tasmania. We contribute to the Australian economy by being a key part of the supply chain between Tasmania and the Australian mainland, connecting local Australian customers to markets across the world.

Everyday our people, on vessels, at our ports and in our offices play a vital role in connecting local Australian customers to markets across the world.

As an employer of Australian seafarers, we take pride in developing the next generation of seafarers and are always on the lookout for talented people to join our inclusive, local community minded and enterprising workforce.

An inclusive workplace, works for everyone:

We celebrate difference. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace that gives everyone the chance to contribute to a bigger and brighter future with us. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we welcome and invite applicants of all ages, cultural backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations, people living with disabilities, neurodiverse individuals and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to apply. Strait Link acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as First Peoples of Australia.

Company Values

Our values Care, Trust, Connected are the foundation of everything we do here at Strait Link. They underpin how we go about performing our roles and activities everyday when we are at work and representing the Strait Link business.

Job Description

We’re looking for a hands‑on Driver Trainer to help build driver capability and promote safe, compliant driving practices across our Tasmanian operations.

This role is focused on training, coaching, assessing, and mentoring drivers at all stages of their employment, from pre‑employment assessments through to ongoing competency verification. You’ll work closely with site leaders and drivers across the state, making regular travel throughout Tasmania a key requirement of the position.

What you’ll be doing

• Deliver practical driver training, coaching, and competency assessments.
• Support the onboarding and development of new drivers across the business.
• Conduct pre‑employment driving assessments and provide feedback on candidate suitability.
• Lead Verification of Competency (VoC) assessments and ongoing driver development activities.
• Coach drivers on safe operating practices, compliance requirements, and company standards.
• Deliver training in areas such as fatigue management, Coupling, Uncoupling, Pre‑Start Training, Chain of Responsibility, mass management, incident response, dangerous goods, and manual handling.
• Work alongside site leaders and buddy drivers to create a positive learning environment and maintain consistent training standards.
• Identify development opportunities and provide targeted coaching to improve capability and safety performance.

Desired Skills and Experience

About you

• Strong knowledge of heavy vehicle operation and safe driving practices
• Understanding of transport legislation, NHVR requirements and Chain of Responsibility obligations
• Experience delivering driver training, coaching or competency-based assessments
• Knowledge of load restraint, fatigue management, HACCP and Dangerous Goods procedures
• Familiarity with customer site protocols and DC operational standards
• Background in transport, logistics or heavy vehicle operations (HC required; MC preferred)
• High-level heavy vehicle driving competency and practical, compliance-focused training skills
• Competence with telematics, GPS and onboard vehicle systems
• Ability to maintain accurate training records and use LMS systems
• Strong communication, coaching and interpersonal skills
• Safety-focused, professional and confident approach to training and assessment
• Patient, supportive and approachable coaching style
• High attention to detail with a strong compliance mindset
• Reliability, integrity and the ability to work independently
• Positive attitude and commitment to continuous improvement

Qualifications

• Lead Training and Assessment Cert IV
• Year 10 (Year 12 preferred)
• HC licence (MC preferred)
• MSIC Card / Transports Card

This role supports Strait Link operations across Tasmania. Regular travel throughout Tasmania is an essential requirement of the position, with training, assessments, and coaching activities conducted across multiple sites and operational locations.