If you are looking for a meaningful career pathway beyond high school, but feel that university is not quite the right fit, a Mainfreight Cadetship program might be for you!
Mainfreight’s Cadetship program allows you to learn about the supply chain and logistics industry from the ground up. It combines hands-on, practical experience on the depot floor through to the behind-the-scenes processes such as administration and sales.
First Things First: What’s a Cadetship?
Think of cadetship programs as your backstage pass to the working world, no uni degree needed! It’s a hands-on learning experience where you jump straight into the action, picking up real skills, meeting awesome people, and figuring out what makes an industry (like the exciting logistics industry) tick. You’re not stuck in a classroom: you’re out there doing the work, learning on the go, and getting paid while you do it. It’s perfect for anyone who’s keen to kickstart their career, skip the student debt, and start making moves straight after school.
What To Expect From The Mainfreight Cadetship Program
Cadets spend the first year experiencing Mainfreight in their own way. They can expect to spend their first 6-14 months:
- Learning the fundamentals of how the business works and why.
- In the operations handling freight, often getting your hands dirty.
- Experiencing Mainfreight’s unique culture and getting to know the people.
- Gaining new skills and industry-specific knowledge (including formal qualifications like a forklift license).
All Mainfreight asks of their cadets is that they are prepared to learn, ask questions and listen! The teams that cadets are placed in are keen to see them succeed and will give them all the help they need to understand the business! This includes personal and professional development support from the dedicated Training & Development Team, who give you the best shot at securing a Mainfreight career after the Cadetship program.
Behind the Scenes: Meet a Mainfreight Cadet
Cody is a Mainfreight Owner Driver cadet based in Queensland. When he finished school, he began working as a cabinet maker as he knew he enjoyed being hands on and didn’t want to be at a desk all day. Once he started his apprenticeship, he felt it wasn’t the best fit for him and wanted to explore other options. His mum came across Mainfreight’s Cadetship Program and encouraged him to apply. Flashforward to now and he is about to complete his cadetship and launch a permanent Mainfreight career!
You can learn more about Cody’s story by watching his video and who knows, maybe you could be the next Mainfreight cadet!
Beyond the Cadetship:
Mainfreight has a strong culture of promoting from within. This means even once you have finished the cadetship program, you won’t stop learning! Mainfreight offers training for all team members to ensure they develop the skills they need to succeed. You can expect to complete training courses in leadership and public speaking skills, even industry specific knowledge such as Chain of Responsibly and Load Restraint.
Mainfreight advertises all their roles internally, which means that today’s cadets are tomorrow leaders of Mainfreight. When you start a career with Mainfreight, it is just that: a start.
Opportunities exist in Mainfreight’s Transport, Warehousing and Air & Ocean teams across QLD, NSW, VIC, SA and WA. Beyond that, Mainfreight is in 26 countries, so you could even take your Mainfreight career overseas one day too!
Demystifying Mainfreight’s Application Process:
Mainfreight believes in keeping things simple, and their application process is no exception. Want to know exactly what to expect? We’ve got you covered!
1. Apply
Send Mainfreight your CV and cover letter. This is your opportunity to stand out, so be sure to tell them all about yourself, why you stand out and what makes you a good fit for a Mainfreight career.
TIP: If you don’t have any work experience, that’s ok! Talk about your extracurricular activities, hobbies or passions. This gives them insight into what drives you! Remember, Mainfreight believes in EQ over IQ, so that means even if you don’t have the best report card or highest marks, if you can show them why you are interested in a career in the transport, manufacturing and logistics industry, they want to hear from you.
2. You’ll hear from Mainfreight soon…
Mainfreight believes that if you have taken the time to get in touch, the least they can do is let you know your application has arrived safely, so expect a return email confirming receipt of your application.
3. … Very Soon!
Whether it’s a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’, you’ll hear back from Mainfreight. If it’s a ‘yes’, they’ll schedule in a time for a phone interview. This will usually be via email so keep an eye out and check your junk mail folders. Following the phone interview, if all goes well, you will be invited for a face-to-face interview.
TIP: Study up on the Mainfreight business and the supply chain industry. This will be the best time to ask any burning questions.
4. Face-to-Face Interview
Either by Zoom or in person, this is where you will get to know Mainfreight better. So,
do your homework, come with questions and be prepared to tell Mainfreight all about yourself! The face-to-face interview helps Mainfreight to plan for where you would fit into the business (they have different areas, including Transport, Air & Ocean or Warehousing) and how they can best develop your potential.
5. Final Interview
You’ve made the shortlist, this is your final round! If you can see yourself as part of Mainfreight and Mainfreight can see you’ve got what they’re looking for, you’ll meet with a Branch Manager of the team you will be joining, and they will make the final decision and extend an exciting job offer.
6. Welcome Aboard!
You’ll receive a formal job offer with an outline of all you need to know to assist you in saying “Yes!”. You will officially become the newest member of the Mainfreight family.
Kickstart Your Mainfreight Career Today
If sitting in lectures isn’t your vibe and you’re ready to get stuck into something real, Mainfreight’s cadetship is calling your name. You’ll learn heaps, meet great people, and grow your confidence every step of the way, all while building a Mainfreight career you can be proud of. Whether you stay local or one day take your skills global, it all starts here. So why wait? Take the leap, back yourself, and apply now for the Mainfreight Cadetship program. Your future’s waiting!
