Member Article

Driver shortage a 'real concern' as training deadline looms

A Teesside transport boss has warned of a shortage of drivers as a crucial industry deadline looms.

European Union law states that all lorry drivers must complete 35 hours of additional training every five years in areas such as health and safety, customer service and the carriage of hazardous goods.

But with the September deadline for Driver CPC qualifications to be completed just around the corner, Nicholson’s Transport says the requirement is prompting many drivers to leave the sector.

David Nicholson, Managing Director of the Billingham-based firm, said: “Driver CPC qualifications are good for the industry because they undoubtedly improve the quality and knowledge of drivers on the road.

“But we have a situation where many experienced drivers are leaving the industry especially if they have to fund the training themselves.

“The impact is being felt earlier than the deadline and that’s both in the sector and from the agencies that supply drivers too.

“The logistics sector is often one of the first to feel the effects of a recession and the first to benefit from recovery.

“But just as we are experiencing an upturn in work, there’s a shortage of qualified drivers and that is a real concern.”

It is the lorry drivers’ own responsibility to ensure they complete Driver CPC qualifications but many haulage firms, including Nicholson’s, support staff by providing and paying for the courses.

But at a time when Nicholson’s Transport is recruiting more drivers, the business has noticed that many candidates do not have the required qualifications.

That has been coupled with older drivers leaving the sector as they see the cost of renewing their Driver CPC qualifications as prohibitive.

Mr Nicholson called for greater investment into the sector to help both drivers and logistics companies meet the costs of the qualifications.

He added: “Our aim is always to have the most competent drivers at Nicholson’s Transport and that is why we support and fund Driver CPC qualifications.

“But the Government needs to recognise that there will be a shortage of drivers in the sector as the qualified drivers will be snapped up and the older ones will leave the industry.

“The industry is lacking quality drivers and feeling the impact of that at exactly the time when we need more of them.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Martin Walker .