For years, the transport sector has faced a growing challenge of attracting, training and retaining skilled bus drivers in an increasingly competitive labour market.
While workforce shortages continue to place pressure on operators nationwide, public transport provider Kinetic has taken a different route.
Through a long-standing partnership with Major Training Group, Kinetic has built a scalable workforce development model that is helping shape the future of public transport across Queensland and beyond.
At the centre of the partnership is a tailored onboarding and training program aligned to the Certificate III in Driving Operations (TLI31222).
Designed specifically for the operational realities of public transport, the program blends structured learning with practical, on-the-job experience to ensure drivers are workplace-ready from day one.
The partnership focuses on creating a complete employment pathway from start to finish, supporting individuals from onboarding through to qualification and long-term career development.
The results have been significant.
Since the program commenced, 1,214 drivers have successfully completed their qualification through the induction pathway, demonstrating consistent delivery of skilled, job-ready operators across metropolitan and regional networks.
Momentum continues to build in 2025–26, with 221 drivers already qualified to date.
This follows strong outcomes in previous years, including 141 completions in 2024–25, 250 in 2023–24, and 248 in 2019–20, reinforcing the program’s ability to deliver high-volume training outcomes while maintaining quality and operational alignment.
Importantly, the future pipeline remains strong, with 393 trainee drivers currently progressing through the program.
This provides ongoing workforce continuity and supports service reliability across key transport routes.
Queensland has played a major role in the program’s success.
With Kinetic operating approximately 40 per cent of Queensland’s bus network, the scale of delivery has allowed the partnership to support both urban and regional communities while responding to increasing passenger demand.
Beyond the numbers, the partnership is also supporting broader industry priorities including workforce diversity, regional employment opportunities and long-term staff retention. Kinetic’s Women Up Front and Moving the Mob programs are leading the way in encouraging females and First Nations people in careers driving buses, and beyond!
Kinetic, which operates across Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Asia, continues to expand nationally while pursuing ambitious workforce diversity targets by 2030.
The organisation’s investment in practical, supported training pathways is helping create opportunities for people from a wide range of backgrounds to enter and succeed in the transport industry.
For Major Training, the partnership reflects the value of industry-led training models that are directly connected to real workplace outcomes.
By embedding training into day-to-day operations, learners gain practical experience in authentic environments, while employers build capability from within.
The success of the program demonstrates what is possible when training providers and industry work together with a shared focus on workforce sustainability, operational outcomes and long-term career development.
As labour shortages continue to challenge industries across Australia, the partnership between Kinetic and Major Training is proving that investing in people, practical skills and supported pathways can keep communities moving today and into the future.
Learn more about Kinetic here.
