Rob Wright, executive director at SCALA, provider of management services for the supply chain and logistics sector.
HGV driver shortages have risen high on the news agenda in recent months, but it is a longer-term issue than many people realise.
HGV drivers face working long and unsociable hours, poor facilities on the road, and low wages. To increase the number of HGV drivers in the UK, there needs to be a long-term solution.
There is a negative perception of HGV driving in the UK as it is often seen as an unappealing job. This is evident by the statistic that 80,000 HGV qualified drivers in the UK don’t work as drivers. More needs to be done by fleet providers and the government to make it a more appealing profession if they want to prevent shortages.
Positively, Logistics UK has found that the number of drivers leaving the profession has begun to ease, which could be attributed to the introduction of the three-month foreign visa scheme that the government announced in September. However, this is not a long-term solution and more needs to be done by fleet operators and the government to both retain people within the industry and encourage more people into it.
So, what should HGV providers and the government do to create a long-term, sustainable solution to the crisis? Below are just a few changes that fleet companies, and the government can implement to improve the role of HGV drivers.
Improve roadside facilities
Poor working conditions in the UK have been a contributing factor to the low levels of drivers. To increase driver retention and make the job more appealing the UK government needs to invest in the facilities at truck stops.
Goldstar Transport is calling for changes to the industry, with its ‘Better Breaks, Safer Stops’ campaign putting pressure on the UK government to ensure that all designated HGV stops have quality facilities. Lack of security measures at service stations place drivers and their cargo at risk as in 2020 there were a reported 1,502 theft events at stops.
Providing higher quality rest facilities and security, including lighting, fencing and CCTV, will reduce the strain on drivers as they will feel secure enough to get the rest they deserve.
Invest in training
HGV driving is an ageing occupation according to the Road Haulage Association, with the organisation having found the average age of an HGV driver is 55, with only one percent of all drivers being under the age of 25.
The cost of training for young people is a barrier to more people entering the profession, with them facing costs as high as £5,000. Given that young people can’t be expected to pay these costs on their own, government subsidies would be a great long-term strategy to increase the number of drivers in the UK, relieving the pressure on young people wanting to enter the industry.
This is particularly pressing post-Brexit as the UK has previously been heavily reliant on overseas labour for HGV drivers. By helping young people in the UK train as drivers, the government will be able to fill the gap which has been left by foreign drivers being unable to work in the UK.
Diversity needs be encouraged
There are problems with diversity in the HGV driving profession, as currently only 1% of HGV drivers are female. When female drivers were interviewed, they stated that part of the issue was a lack of female role-models for young women, meaning they don’t see it as a role for them. They also spoke about sexist comments they faced from other drivers at truck stops.
The government and fleet providers need to stop this perception that HGV driving is not suitable for women. This can be done by giving female drivers a platform to communicate with other women about their job as a driver, perhaps at career fairs. Furthermore, when governments invest in improved security at service stops, they need to consider the protection of women who may feel vulnerable when taking a break.
Overall, by implementing these improvements, fleet operators and the government will provide a long-term solution to the shortages which have existed for many years. By working together there will be significant improvements to the role of an HGV driver, which will increase retention and make it a preferable career choice.
