Driver Shortage Fixes: Bringing New Blood To The Industry

The driver shortage is one of the main problems currently faced in the haulage industry, and while there are plenty of reasons why young people are becoming less attracted to jobs in the transport sector, there are just as many advantages and reasons to love the work.

The professionals have said that in order to solve this issue for good, something needs to be done to motivate and attract young people to the kind of roles that are going begging. Read on to discover the five key areas logistics experts believe need to be addressed to eliminate the driver shortage problem once and for all.

1. Make the Career Path Appealing

It’s been revealed that one of the reasons young people aren’t invested in applying for roles in the haulage industry is because there is no clear career framework. Having a structured career path in place would not only help to increase general interest, but also create a sense of security in the role. Including graduate training, apprenticeships and “warehouse to wheels” schemes could also help reduce the driver shortage, as there would be room to attract a broader range of applicants.

2. Introduce Financial Rewards

One sure-fire way to attract applicants is to make the job financially rewarding! The younger demographic, in particular, would definitely be attracted to a more competitive salary from the start, but some companies are looking to take a more specific approach by simply rewarding the most successful candidates with bonuses or well-paid apprenticeship schemes.

3. Improve the Image of the Haulage Industry

Past surveys about the main reasons for the driver shortage have revealed that haulage is a “much needed but sometimes forgotten about sector”. In order to attract the young crowd, it’s vital that this image is improved and the sector presents itself as a modern and innovative industry. This should also help the sector to become better-known among the general public, hopefully encouraging increased appreciation for the workers, too.

4. Engage with Students

Engaging with schools, colleges and universities is a great way to work towards increasing young people’s knowledge of the transport sector, and inspire them to become part of an innovative industry. The education sector is a great place to start when advertising job vacancies and employment opportunities. 

5. Get Rid of Barriers

There are also some more general things that could be changed about the haulage industry to increase the number of applicants for specific jobs. Perhaps a better working environment, flexibility with working hours, or investment in better vehicles would attract more workers. Other options include offering to pay for training or including general incentives within training programmes.

The driver shortage is a growing concern for many hauliers, but after reading this hopefully you’ll be feeling more prepared with ways to resolve the issue. Make the job relatable and appealing for young people and you’ll be sure to have an influx of applications before you know it.

Author Plate

Norman Dulwich is a Correspondent for Haulage Exchange, the leading online trade network for the road transport industry. Connecting professionals across the UK and Europe through their website, Haulage Exchange provides a valuable service for the haulage industry, matching delivery work with available vehicles. It is now the fastest growing Freight Exchange in the UK.