New report predicts driver shortage
24th June 2012
The UK is facing a looming commercial vehicle driver shortage that risks holding back economic recovery, says a report from Skills for Logistics.
The report says there are now substantially more vacancies than candidates seeking to drive Larger Goods Vehicles professionally, which has led to wages growing faster for drivers than other employees across the country. Fewer people are taking LGV tests, and over the last four years there has been a 31% decline in the number of people passing their test (C, C+E, C1, C1+E).
Furthermore, not all licence holders are becoming professional drivers. New entrants now have to complete an initial driver qualification and then get a Driver Qualification Card to drive professionally. Currently only 8.2% of drivers have received their DQC as a result of completing 35 hours worth of training required for a CPC.
The driver shortage problem is made more acute by the fact that 16% of employed drivers are aged 60+, while just 1% are under 25, partly due to the cost of insurance. Retirements over the next five years will leave a potential replacement demand of 48,000 drivers.
“The logistics sector needs to be made more attractive as a career option – particularly to female and young recruits,” Dr Ross Moloney of Skills for Logistics said. “Furthermore, it is imperative that improved and more targeted training is delivered to those who have been attracted.”