Adam proves transport and logistics is full of opportunity

Adam Katsoutas was still in year 12 when he took a summer job working for Kreskas Brothers Transport in Shepparton. He had no idea how much this decision would change the course of his life.

“I started off as a pallet wrapper on the forklift,” Adam recalls. “The team taught me how to unload and reload trucks and I just grew from there.”

Within 18 months, Adam found himself managing the warehouse where he worked. He later transitioned to a fleet controller role on the transport side, followed by another stint as transport manager.

Now leading the entire business as the general manager, Adam oversees 80 staff, 40 prime movers and 200 pieces of equipment across four sites.

“I was fortunate that the company likes to hire internally, but there’s really been a lot of opportunity in this industry,” he says.

Originally set on going to university to study commerce, Adam was surprised at how much he enjoyed working in transport and logistics.

With the demand for jobs in the industry growing, he hopes more young people will consider how much the career pathway has to offer

“The average age of a transport operator across the board is nearing the 47-year-old mark and rising,” he explains.

“It’s imperative that we foster and harvest young talent that comes into the industry so that we can become sustainable long term.”

While there’s no shortage of jobs, Adam says there can be misconceptions that hold people back from looking into the work.

“I know when a lot of people think of the transport logistics area, they think of blokes, blue singlets and trucks,” he says. “But that’s just one demographic of our company.”

“We’ve got super intelligent women across the organisation, and young people moving into business management roles. There’s so much variety.”

For newcomers who want to hit the ground running, he suggests looking into entry-level roles to get some experience under their belt.

Short TAFE courses are available for specific skills like getting a forklift licence or operating a machine hoist. Longer certificates like business and accounting can offer launchpads into other areas of the industry.

“My pathway was less than conventional but I always recommend just starting. You never know where it might lead.”