The program involves the creation of simulated transport and distribution businesses, or practice firms, run by students and supported by educators and mentors from TOLL Holdings. Students mirror the work being carried out by TOLL Holdings' employees with their own corporate structure, rotating through different management, marketing, operations, and administrative roles to gain a solid awareness of a real-life business.


Practice firms are increasing in popularity as a learning tool, with an estimated 150 Australian and 4000 international such firms in operation. While the products and services traded by these firms are simulated, the business decisions made and activities undertaken are real. Practice firms allow action learning without the potential problems of using real money or resources.


Transport and Logistics Industry Skills Council National Project Manager Cinthia Del Grosso says the more than 160 students already participating in TOLL Virtual practice firms are gaining real-life work skills.


"The students are developing the enterprise skills involved in business planning, management, marketing, and promotion," Ms Del Grosso says, "and they're dealing with all the complexities that exist in "real" transport companies, like scheduling and rostering, types of products to be delivered, and relevant technologies."


Involvement in the program also gives students nationally recognised qualifications. The program places emphasis on developing employability skills. In addition, students gain insights into transport and supply chain management, and get the chance to test-drive a career in the industry.


Funding for the TOLL Virtual program was provided through the Australian government's Enterprise Learning for the 21st Century program, which is supporting 47 projects to help young people build enterprise skills, think creatively, and reach their full potential.


With this funding, TOLL Holdings and the Transport and Logistics Industry Skills Council have instituted TOLL Virtual practice firms at nine locations in Australia.