Truck driver Crisis
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Truck driver crisis as youngsters shun industry
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
MAN Truck & Bus research reveals logistics and transport are not a careers option for youngsters in the South West.
The UK’s haulage industry is facing the biggest crisis in its history as it fails to attract young people into the sector, according to a leading truck manufacturer.
Fears are growing that a shortage of truck drivers will turn into a massive void as the majority of drivers head for retirement while school leavers turn their backs on the profession.
Simon Elliott, managing director of MAN Truck & Bus UK, says the industry must work closely with the Government to find solutions that not only shake-up HGV training but tackle the poor image the industry has amongst school leavers.
MAN commissioned research with 1,000 young people aged 16 to 30 looking at choices made on careers at an early age. Of the 1,000, only 3.4% were advised to follow a career in road transport/logistics. The majority were pointed in the direction of careers in media, retail and professional services such as media, law and accountancy.
In the South West only 7% of youngsters were advised to consider the industry, while 18% said they would consider driving a truck for a living.
In March‘s Budget, the Government vowed to work with road haulage firms to find an industry-led solution to the shortage, including looking at funding support and training.
Simon said: “Becoming a HGV 1 driver is not cheap and can cost thousands of pounds which acts as a major barrier to young people interested in becoming truck drivers.“
When asked if a careers advisor had ever suggested driving a truck for a living, 88% replied no, however 25% of all the people questioned said they would consider it now as a career option.
MAN, which employs approximately 53,500 people worldwide, commissioned research to get a true picture of what young people think about the industry at a time when it is facing expansion through the explosion of online shopping.
Simon said: “The Freight Transport Association has predicted a shortfall of 45,000 to 60,000 truck drivers.
“We wanted to know why and our findings not only make interesting reading but look at the advice being given to young people from an early age.“
Mr Elliott added that the shortage came at a time when the haulage industry was expanding with the growth of online shopping.
“Our research showed that 93% of women and 86% of men shop online. This is a trend that is not going to go away, so how will these items be delivered in the future? We asked our panel what their expections were on delivery times for online purchases. 80% said they expected delivery within 48 hours of ordering – I think we’ve got some work to do to meet these expectations in the future!“
MAN’s research follows on from a warning issued by the all-party Parliamentary group for freight transport earlier this year. The report, Barriers to Youth Employment in the Freight Transport Sector, claims there are entrenched obstacles which make it difficult to attract people aged 16 to 24 into the logistics industry. The report revealed that just 2% of all HGV drivers are under the age of 25, with 60% over 45.
Owner samedaycouriernetwork.com
9ySorry Steve Thompson didn't reply to your comment, know I didn't write this it was one of many articles on the topic. Troubling times this country relies on the road haulage industry more than people think.
Owner samedaycouriernetwork.com
9yEvery point is valid but obviously circumstances change from company to company and driver to driver. Some companies look after drivers well, some don't, some companies can afford to pay well, some can't, some drivers are great employees and look after their employers interests as well as their own, some are not and do not. I sit very much in the middle and understand both sides of the coin, however I am not here to fight the corners but simply try and help companies find drivers and drivers find work, The fact is there is a driver shortage nationwide and few people looking to take the licences for several reasons that are not always the fault of the haulage companies. Cost of training is high Cost of ongoing periodic training 2 years held licence and 180 days exp is a sticking point Demanding roads and high fines for drivers is not attractive. Prosecution up to 12 months after an offence with drivers WTD will put many off Wages not as high as other industries and on on the list can go. We work with DWP and try to help select candidates for government funding HGV training, we pay in advance and get paid back over time to help our current candidates get the licences and are always recruiting locally before looking further afield, but there are still too few drivers to cover the work available and not enough younger people interested in the industry. Still we are looking at various solutions and alternative methods to help companies source the drivers they require, please feel free to contact me if you want to discuss any aspects in more detail.
Senior Driver Development coach
9yIts not just about poor wages,truck drivers deserve more respect from companies as well as working better hours so they are capable of having a social life. The average truck drivers wage is still low in comparison with other trades.
HGV ADR Driver
9yI am currently a class c driver in scotand and with the money I earn I cannot afford to upgrade to class c+e because the wages are so poor. If companies to a leaf out of the books of companies such as the co-op, who pay a class c wage of £30.400 p.a. then young people may be attracted to the industry but sadly it's not gonna happen. Personally if I could, I'd retrain for a job that pays a wgae where I can actually do the things I enjoy doing instead of just keeping my head above water.
full clean licence + cpc
9yshortage creates demand so come on guys and girl's demand the price increase :)