The UK has been facing a perceived HGV driver shortage in recent months & years, with businesses and industries citing a lack of truck drivers as the cause of supply chain disruptions and delays.
However, there are those who argue that this so-called truck driver shortage is not entirely the result of a lack of drivers, but rather an amalgam of other forces at work.
Lets unpack it.
Brexit
One of the main factors contributing to the perceived driver shortage is the Brexit transition. With the UK’s departure from the European Union, many EU nationals who previously worked as drivers in the UK have returned to their home countries, leaving a gap in the workforce. Additionally, changes to immigration policies have made it more difficult for non-UK nationals to enter the country and work as drivers, further exacerbating the situation.
Training
However, it is important to note that there are also other issues at play. For example, the pandemic has led to a backlog of truck driver training and testing, making it difficult for new HGV drivers to enter the industry.
Aging Work Force
Additionally, many vocational drivers have left the profession due to low wages, long hours, and poor working conditions, which has led to a decrease in the overall number of commercial drivers. When you add to this the numbers of drivers who are fast approaching retirement age (the majority of trained experienced HGV 1 drivers are aged 52+) the problems are not going away anytime soon?
So What Can We Do?
Firstly, the government needs to address the backlog of driver training and testing by investing in additional resources and personnel to speed up the process. HGV Driving license applications are coming back with a Welsh accent they are spending so long at DVLA Swansea. That needs to be addressed.
Additionally, the government needs to take a closer look at immigration policies to ensure that non-UK nationals who have the necessary skills and qualifications can enter the country and work as drivers. I personally worked at a distribution centre in Bridgend South Wales which, were it not for the Romanian drivers who made up the majority of the driver work force, the distribution centre would not have existed. Nor my own job.
Furthermore, the industry itself needs to take responsibility for improving the working conditions of drivers. This can be achieved by increasing wages, improving rest periods, and providing better training and support for drivers. It is also important for businesses to work together to develop more sustainable supply chain practices that prioritize the well-being of drivers and ensure their safety on the roads. Like safe & secure parking?
In conclusion, while there may be a perceived driver shortage in the UK, it is important to recognize that there are a variety of factors at play, depending on who you ask about the problem?
By addressing the underlying issues and taking a collaborative approach to finding solutions, we can if the will exists, create a more sustainable and equitable industry for drivers and businesses alike.
6AM