Adopt A School Program

Forget celebrity adoptions—Australian schools are being “adopted” by something far more practical: the Transport and Logistics (T&L) industry.

While it might sound like an unusual partnership, the Adopt a School Program is creating real pathways for students to gain valuable job-ready skills, and for employers to tap into emerging talent in a sector facing ongoing skills shortages. It’s a win–win for future workers and for an industry that quite literally keeps the country moving.

What Is the Adopt a School Program?

The Adopt a School Program is an industry–school partnership model that connects high school students with hands-on experience in transport, logistics, and supply chain sectors. Students gain early exposure to in-demand careers, while employers gain access to future professionals.

Two core pathways:

• One-day-per-week placement: Students spend one day a week on-site with a partner business while completing a T&L qualification.
• School-based apprenticeship: Students work two days per week as employees while completing Year 12 and gaining formal qualifications.

Industry placements are available across areas such as:

• Warehousing and distribution
• Road transport and fleet management
• Freight forwarding and customs
• Maritime logistics and aviation ground handling
• Furniture removals and waste management

This early experience helps students build industry-relevant skills, discover job opportunities, and transition confidently from school to work.

Why Transport and Logistics?

Australia’s transport and logistics industry is a $130 billion economic powerhouse, employing nearly 750,000 people across road, rail, air and sea operations. It’s also one of the nation’s most critical infrastructure sectors—and it’s evolving fast, with a growing need for tech-savvy, future-focused workers.

By connecting students with employers early, the Adopt a School initiative is helping to bridge the skills gap while raising awareness of the diverse career paths available within the T&L industry.

“Adopt a School provides the industry with a strategy to meet future skill needs, gives employers access to a diverse talent pool, and allows young people to gain hands-on experience.”
– Former Queensland Transport Minister Rachel Nolan

Results That Deliver

Since launching with just two schools in 2006, the program has scaled significantly. As of 2025, it continues to attract growing interest from schools and employers across multiple states.

“When we first started, students and teachers had very little awareness of what logistics careers involved,” said Sky Collings, Acting Director of Industry Capability at the Department of Transport and Main Roads. “Now, schools are approaching us. They’ve seen the success of the program—and how dynamic the career opportunities can be.”

Growing Career Opportunities in Logistics

As industries continue to digitise and supply chain management becomes increasingly critical, demand for skilled workers in logistics is rising fast. According to Jobs and Skills Australia, key growth areas in the sector include:

• Supply chain and inventory management
• Transport scheduling and operations
• Logistics data analysis and planning
• Automation and warehouse technology

With Australia’s ageing workforce and an ongoing retirement wave, the need to build a younger talent pipeline is stronger than ever. The Adopt a School Program helps meet that need while offering students a future-proof career path.

Interested in getting started? Explore our range of transport and logistics courses to build your skills and enter this dynamic, fast-growing field.

Expanding Beyond Logistics

Due to its success, the Adopt a School framework has been expanded to other sectors, including:

• Agriculture and agribusiness
• Food production and processing
• Broadcast and media industries

This collaborative model is helping industries engage students early and drive workforce sustainability across Australia’s economic backbone.

Take the First Step Toward a Career in Logistics

Whether you’re a high school student, parent, or career changer, now is a great time to explore career pathways in supply chain and logistics. The future of this industry is not just about trucks and warehouses—it’s about data, sustainability, and innovation.

Browse our accredited logistics and supply chain courses to get started today.