Operating across Queensland and Western Australia, the company is a leading force in the heavy vehicle manufacturing sector (trailers), delivering innovation, reliability, and superior quality to a diverse customer base both nationally and internationally.
With three dedicated sites in Brisbane encompassing manufacturing, service and repairs, and an engineering workshop, The Drake Group ensures seamless operations and exceptional service across its core business functions.
At the heart of The Drake Group’s success is its skilled and capable workforce. Among its 400 employees, approximately 10% are apprentices, reflecting the company’s strong commitment to cultivating future industry talent. Specialising in mechanical fitting, boilermaking, machining (fitting and turning), and industrial spray painting, apprentices gain invaluable hands-on experience under the guidance of industry experts.
A dedicated in-house apprenticeship coordinator oversees the structured training and development across the group, ensuring apprentices acquire essential skills across various business areas. While the program involves substantial upfront investment, particularly in the initial years, when costs exceed revenue, it is regarded as a critical long-term investment in supporting the program’s sustained growth and enabling The Drake Group to nurture the next generation of highly skilled tradespeople.
A key challenge in workforce training lies in the timing and sequencing of off-the-job learning provided by registered training organisations (RTOs). Constraints such as limited teacher availability, insufficient resources, where class waitlists can reach up to 300 students waiting for a placement in a classroom of only eight spaces, and outdated teaching methods contribute to significant delays. The scarcity of campuses across Brisbane further exacerbates these issues.
Additionally, training content often fails to align with apprentices’ on-the-job tasks at different stages of their development, slowing competency progression and restricting program expansion. Addressing these challenges is imperative to ensure apprentices achieve full proficiency effectively, strengthening industry-wide workforce capability.
The Drake Group’s CEO underscores the vital role of employer incentives in supporting apprenticeships and bridging the growing skills gap within the engineering sector.
"Without these critical incentives, some businesses will struggle to absorb the costs associated with training apprentices, particularly in a highly competitive industry with already tight margins."
Preserving and expanding these financial supports is crucial for the continued development of skilled professionals across the engineering and manufacturing industries.
The Drake Group is committed to fostering diversity as a catalyst for innovation and industry growth. Early engagement with schools has proven instrumental in encouraging female participation in a historically male-dominated sector. Today, several female apprentices are thriving within the business, demonstrating that skill, capability, and career success transcend gender.
By consistently investing in skills development, industry partnerships, and operational excellence, The Drake Group remains at the forefront of heavy haulage trailer engineering and manufacturing. Its commitment to producing highly skilled professionals reinforces its reputation for quality, reliability, and forward-thinking innovation.
Tradespeople with a comprehensive understanding of complex equipment systems and the challenges associated with their operation are integral to industry success. Enhanced support from RTOs in addressing training constraints, alongside government investment and funding, would significantly benefit the sector in bridging the gap in the shortage of skilled tradespeople and fostering sustainable workforce development.
Apprenticeships and traineeships underpin the pipeline of skills needed to deliver some of the biggest priorities facing our nation. In an environment of widespread skills and workforce shortages, a strong apprenticeship and traineeship system is more important than ever.
