Road to Logistics: How the UK is Tackling Driver Shortages
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) estimates a national shortage of approximately 50,000 qualified HGV drivers, and with a quarter of the industry workforce due to retire in the next decade, there has never been a more important time for a national campaign to train and develop more HGV drivers.
Brexit
In addition to the existing shortage of drivers, the impact of Brexit on the haulage industry could mean that the UK faces losing a significant number of our European HGV drivers in the event of a no-deal. In an environment where drivers are already in short supply, the potential results of a no-deal could affect the free movement of people, the restriction of movement of goods between UK and EU countries and could require drivers to need additional licences. If you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen living in the UK, you and your family will need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to confirm the steps you need to take to continue working unaffected. For more information on Brexit and how it may affect drivers, see our recent blog.
Road to Logistics
To encourage new talent in the transport and logistics industry, the Road Haulage Association has launched an exciting national training programme, Road to Logistics. The Road to Logistics initiative focuses on attracting ex-offenders, the long-term unemployed and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds into the industry, with an objective of training up to 300 drivers in its first year.
The 12-month programme provides new drivers with a Category C and Category C+E licence and offers practical training as well as classroom-based learning. Trainees learn skills from general vehicle maintenance to driving best practice and are supported through the entire year with a mentoring framework, aimed to help give drivers the confidence and independence they need to become a qualified HGV driver. The RHA is working to change the public’s perception of what it means to work in the transport industry and is showcasing how becoming an HGV driver offers long-term job security, skill development and career progression, as well as good earnings potential.
This programme will help companies to reduce the cost of recruiting new talent by providing training and medical and behavioural assessments. Road to Logistics graduates complete their training with a solid knowledge of the industry as well as theoretical knowledge that is indispensable to their new career. Following a successful trial with HM Prison Sudbury and other prisons across the UK, Road to Logistics has received a £1 million boost from the Government to continue the programme across the UK.
If you are looking to further your training in the haulage
industry, Drive Personnel provides free additional training courses as well as
access to temporary and permanent roles. We also provide Class 1 and Advanced
HGV Driver Training to give you the opportunity to progress your career and
increase your earning potential. Call us on 023 8069 5600 for more information.
About us
Drive Personnel is a leading independent recruitment and employment agency, specialising in the supply of temporary and permanent Class 1 and Class 2 HGV drivers to companies throughout the South Coast. Our comprehensive recruitment agency service operates from our local office in Fair Oak, and our employees will always strive to find your company the best driver for the job. We offer employment opportunities for drivers across Southampton, Eastleigh, Portsmouth, Gosport and Fareham and our positions range from LGV drivers Class 1, HGV Class 2 (C+E & C) drivers, 7.5 Tonne (C1), van drivers (B), HIAB and ADR drivers.