Keep On Trucking: Addressing The Uk’s Hgv Driver Shortage

A sobering reality all UK haulage companies are aware of is the current heavy goods vehicle (HGV) driver shortage. A lack of qualified, licensed hauliers is taking its toll and, haulage companies are finding it more difficult to deliver the quality high service they have in the past - something that is affecting both the industry and the economy.

Read on to find out why this driver deficiency is occurring and what we can do to halt it

Pertinent Problems

1)    Low female representation. It’s not necessarily surprising that haulage companies comprise mainly men. Logistics has traditionally been male-dominated vocation, and it remains so to this day. This disparity only increases among lorry drivers – in fact, it is estimated that 99% of them are male.

2)    Brexit. 14% of haulers are EU nationals and, with Brexit now in place, many policies may end up putting some of these people out of a job.

3)    High costs of training, testing and licensing. To become a driver, it costs around £3,000 pounds – a significant deterrent to many who just don’t have the funds, especially among the younger demographic.

4)    Ageing workforce. Young people are shying away from the logistics industry, leaving 63% of drivers over the age of 45 – and 14% over 60. Once these older employees begin to retire, this could cause issues for haulage companies if they don’t find a remedy for the shortage.

Suggested Solutions

Despite the abovementioned aspects, those who own or work for haulage companies needn’t lose hope. The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has come up with some suggestions for changes that could help redress the balance.

1)    Recruit more women. The female population is severely under-represented in the logistics industry – and not for lack of enthusiasm by women. When the FTA did a Twitter poll in 2016, 79% of females who responded stated they wouldn’t have any issues driving a 44-tonne truck. Despite the informality of the results, it leaves something to consider. Actively trying to recruit women by making them feel welcome in a male-dominated field could solve, or at least significantly ease, the shortage.

2)    Appeal to young people. Making the logistics industry more easily accessible for youth would draw them in, and have the added bonus of a potentially lifelong career. Loans to make vocational training more affordable and updating the image of the trucking industry could attract the younger demographic.

3)    Obtain better facilities for drivers. This includes safer and more comfortable driving conditions and facilities, especially for long distance hauliers.

Implementing these changes would serve multiple purposes. Firstly, the population of drivers should increase; secondly, women will have more employment opportunities that they feel accepted in; and, thirdly, the current working conditions for hauliers would improve.

With these solutions in place, hopefully the logistics industry will be able to make a U-turn and head off back down the right road.

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 services for matching haulage companies or self-employed drivers with jobs in road transport and haulage work. Over 5,300 member companies are networked together through the Exchange to fill empty capacity, get new clients and form long-lasting business relationships.