Heavy motor specialist National Transport Insurance (NTI) has awarded five scholarships to help develop future leaders for the transport industry.

Winners attended the Australian Trucking Association’s annual conference on Hamilton Island at the weekend, which included workshops on legislation, safety, maintenance and business operations.

NTI Industry Affairs Manager Owen Driscoll says attending the conference will help the scholars become industry ambassadors.

“The ageing transport industry workforce is a serious issue that needs to be addressed.”

The scholarship winners were Kris Clarkson from Clarkson Freightlines, Jarad Manwaring of Tony Madden Refrigerated Transport, Dylan Vella of Vellex, Nathan Stephens of JR Stephens & Co and Sam Paterson of Paterson Bulk Transport.

NTI spokesman Luke Muller told insuranceNEWS.com.au the scholarships are likely to become an annual award, to encourage younger people to remain in trucking.

“We do see it as an ongoing thing and are just looking at ways in which we can support the industry,” he said.

Insurance brokers were asked to nominate people aged under 35 who showed potential as future leaders.