Types of jobs in road transport and logistics

People working in road transport and logistics industries basically get goods and people moving. Truck drivers, bus drivers, taxi drivers, port workers and freight forwarders make it happen.

The industries run across sectors including road transport, passenger services, warehousing and logistics, ports and stevedoring.

We've included below some examples of what people in these industries actually do. The examples are endless.

Truck driving

There are all sorts of truck driving jobs available; from delivering groceries to supermarkets, logs to wharves, building materials to construction sites, livestock to freezing works, and assorted goods to hundreds of businesses throughout the country.

These jobs may involve short or long distance driving in vans through to heavy articulated trucks. Truck driving is an increasingly skilled job, keeping up with advances in technology and computerisation.

Warehousing and logistics

Warehouse workers co-ordinate the movement of goods and manage warehouse and cool store operations. Forklift driving is a big part of warehousing.

Logistics workers organise the flow and storage of goods and materials from where they were produced to where they are needed. They integrate transportation (on road, sea and air), information, inventory, storage and security. They use sophisticated computer information systems. There is sometimes a crossover with freight forwarding jobs.

Freight forwarding

Freight forwarders help businesses get anything, anywhere and enable movement of goods in and out of the country. They are sometimes described as the travel agents of goods. These jobs involve tracking transport, preparing of shipping and export papers, booking cargo space, negotiating freight charges and arranging insurance. You need to be computer literate, comfortable using the telephone and also okay with some manual work. Jobs in this area can lead to an international career.

Bus driving

Bus drivers are particularly in demand in the major cities; for commuters, school bus driving, long distance passenger services and charter and tour operators.

Ports

Almost all of New Zealand's exports and imports are carried by sea and workers need to be able to load and unload them safely at a port.

This work is not as physically demanding as it once was. Stevedores need to have skills in operating heavy machinery such as straddle carriers and cranes. Drivers of these would need some work experience with a Class 2 driver's licence. Examples of their work include container packing and unpacking, handling cargo on and off a ship, receiving and delivering cargo (including documentation) and assisting in vessel mooring operations.

Business administration jobs exist for the planning of ship loading and the tracking of cargo. Both use very sophisticated computer systems.

Taxi driving

Taxi and shuttle drivers are the primary source for moving business and holiday travellers in and around the country. Limousine and VIP transport operators (including those provided by Internal Affairs and Parliamentary services) are other job choices available.

For more information

Read how several young people started their careers in the road transport and logistics industries.

Case studies - starting a great career

Watch career videos from the ‘Just the job' television series on YouTube.

Just the Job career videos [YouTube]