The hgv driver shortage has been the subject of controversy recently, with some calling a myth while many others are concerned for the haulage industry, particularly after brexit. The trucker is becoming an endangered species as lorry driver. Fta has been talking with members of the public to discover what their perception is of the logistics industry, and asked them w. There are even talks of a potential driver shortage due to an aging population of truckers coupled with the introduction of more stringent safety laws resulting in many drivers losing their trucking licenses. Truck driver general jobs in australia visa bureau. The american trucking associations ata, the industrys largest trade group, reckons america needs nearly 51,000 more drivers of big rigs. Jun 04, 2018 wages in the industry are on the rise as the driver shortage deepens. Asset alliance groups industry monitor records that 35% of surveyed decision makers believed the main reason for the hgv driver shortage was low wages compared to similar jobs, while 21% said current drivers hours legislation made work unappealing for. Trucking industry struggles with growing driver shortage more than 70 percent of goods consumed in the u. Sep 27, 2015 only 17,000 new hgv drivers qualify each year, so over time, the shortage is set to increase. Hi, im dave and i hold a full class c truck driving licence. But, is there actually a shortage, or is the problem something else entirely. Even so, trucking companies, especially truckload carriers, often have great difficulty finding, hiring and keeping drivers. Trucking industry struggles with growing driver shortage.
As a driver i fear that the whole industry will implode under the weight of the relentless new legislation coupled with the often oppressive demand to meet unrealistic targets especially with the mounting road congestion and the, in real terms, falling pay of drivers. Julian thompson, managing director of 247 staffing, said his company faced demand for 75% more drivers in the buildup to the festive period last year, and worked with customers to offer drivers block. The exact size of the driver shortage ranges from 45,000 to 50,000 drivers according to the road haulage association rha, and 52,000 by british international freight association bifa estimates. Cement mixer driver compactor driver rubbish collection haulpak driver kaitaraiwa taraka nz livestock haulier logging truck driver road train driver tilt tray driver. The exact nature of the labor shortage in the trucking industry is also tricky to assess. A mirror vision of industrial failure the uk lorry trade. There isnt widespread agreement about whether there even is a truck driver shortage, for example. Covid19 and truck driver shortage may threaten food.
There are plenty of myths that have been in circulation for many years about the hgv road haulage industry. The driver shortage has been going on for years, with baby boomers retiring and few millennials willing to endure hardships such as being away. Mar 18, 2020 the exact nature of the labor shortage in the trucking industry is also tricky to assess. No container or straight truck or trailer moves without, at some point, a truck driver. Nor is the driver shortage confined to employed drivers. The american trucking associations says the industry needs to hire. Mps say government should intervene in driver shortage. Jan 09, 2018 trucking industry struggles with growing driver shortage more than 70 percent of goods consumed in the u. But insiders said its getting worse for companies looking for semi drivers. However, since the recovery in 2011, the entire trucking industry came under the grip of a driver shortage problem, which skyrocketed to. The situation is expected to worsen if no major step is taken to encourage more people to join the hgv industry. At this point in time, the uk is approximately between 45,00060,000 drivers short, expected to rise to 70,000 by the end of the year. Truck driver shortage by car blog editor november 7, 20 right now, a lot of trucking companies are facing a problem with driver shortages, according to the president of rightway trucking nigel oliver.
Booming trump economy threatened by shortage of nearly 1. Walmarts trucking fleet used to be as selective as harvard, but a truck driver shortage has changed how walmart hires rachel premack 20181228t19. A truck driver commonly referred to as a trucker, teamster or driver in the united states and canada. Trucker shortage threatens brexit boom with 45,000. Consider a job as a hgv lgv truck driver driver shortage. According to an october 2017 report from the american trucking associations, the industry as a whole needs to hire about 900,000 additional drivers just to keep up with rising demand. Professional bus and truck drivers are the industrys key assets, moving people and goods where they need to be. Truck driver general jobs in australia truck driver general is not currently on the medium and long term strategic skills list mltssl or the shortterm skilled occupation list stsol. Apr 26, 2018 the driver shortage has been going on for years, with baby boomers retiring and few millennials willing to endure hardships such as being away from home for weeks at a time on crosscountry. The average age of a trucker is 53 years old and the over 50s represent 47% of all drivers. The findings, from a commercial fleet poll, show that driver recruitment and retention remains a major issue for the industry. And the shortage is growing at the rate of 50 a day with a. If something isnt done to attract more drivers to the.
Even today, a lack of drivers is making goods more expensive and delaying orders. Latest hgv driver shortage facts, figures and perspectives. Moving goods between the uk and the eu will change from 31st october. Hgv driving has changed beyond recognition over the last 10 years or so. Nearly every period of economic growth is accompanied by a driver shortage, including the recovery that began in 2009. Truck driver general visa options skill shortage lists.
Truck driver general is not currently on the medium and long term strategic skills list mltssl or the shortterm skilled occupation list stsol. How is the hgv driver shortage affecting the haulage industry. It is not possible to apply for an australian visa under the general skilled migration gsm program. The driver shortage vanished during the 2008 recession. Keep on trucking a shortage of lorry drivers is getting. There is, a surplus shortage, of drivers desperate for work, that the industry can use to keep wages and conditions down. The trucker is becoming an endangered species as lorry.
This compares with only 2,000 people receiving truckdriving qualifications each year. According to an article in a national newspaper haulage bosses need to train 45,000 new truckers just to fill existing vacanciesthe shortage is growing at the rate of 50 a day with a further 20,000 expected to quit by. Theres a shortage of hgv drivers in an economy that relies on moving mountains of heavy goods. May 28, 2018 daniel gollnick is a truck driver in melrose, wis.
The road haulage association is providing free industry advice on how brexit will affect your business. In addition, the latest information from the office of the traffic commissioners in great britain and. Driver shortage likely to worsen it is no secret that there is a severe shortage of truck drivers in the uk. Only 17,000 new hgv drivers qualify each year, so over time, the shortage is set to increase.
If it is and you meet the requirements, getting a work or resident visa will be easier. The hgv driver shortage is limiting the haulage industrys ability to deliver high quality services. How is the hgv driver shortage affecting the haulage. That seems like a lot, but we should remember that not everyone with an hgv licence will be working as an hgv driver. France has a shortage of 20,000 drivers, while road freight associations in. The driver shortage is a myth on the road january 18, 2012 by jim park there are thousands of men and women out there today with a cdl in their pocket no longer working as truck drivers. The annual survey revealed that almost half of respondents 46 percent state that the lack of drivers and other skilled workers across the industry was the biggest hurdle to success. In the uk, estimates suggest a shortfall of more than 50,000 qualified drivers, with the number of unfilled vacancies increasing by 50 each day. There isnt widespread agreement about whether there even is. Truck driver shortage crisis now spreading across the whole of.
A jobsite for the haulage industry to find hgv driver jobs, haulage news, hgv driver advice and all things trucking. A co armagh firm has warned that an acute shortage of hgv lorry drivers in northern ireland will ultimately lead to consumers having to pay more in the shops for their goods. Mckenna, who previously worked at new england motor freight in north reading, and serves on the executive committee of the trucking association. Professional bus and truck drivers are the industrys. Truck driver shortage slows trucking industry and it could. A shortage of qualified hgv drivers threatens the boom in trade predicted once we have shaken off the eus shackles credit. Road haulage companies complain bitterly that they can. Members have highlighted that hgv drivers and mechanics are becoming increasingly hard to recruit and the age demographic, specifically within the hgv driver population, is significantly older than the national average. Aug 02, 2016 t his is what market failure looks like.
If your business relies on getting things from a to b, search a to brexit or visit. Lgv truck licence information and hgv jobs at driver shortage. Threequarters of operators are struggling to recruit heavy goods vehicle hgv drivers, despite government efforts to address the shortfall. Driver shortage likely to worsen hgv training network. Driver turnover in the trucking industry is on the rise. Covid19 and truck driver shortage may threaten food supply chain. If you are a driver you have probably seen firsthand the effects of driver turnover within the trucking industry. Anzsco australian and new zealand standard classification of occupations. People working in the trucking industry say a shortage of drivers is looming larger than ever and freight and logistics companies say they cant fill positions as fast as baby boomers are leaving. The shortage of hgv drivers in the uk has climbed to 59000 as 64% of. In response to a recent parliamentary question, minister of state for training john halligan said a threeyear hgv driver apprenticeship will be rolled out later this year with the irha as industry lead. A driver shortage is the biggest challenge facing the transport industry in 2018, according to a uk customer survey by paragon software systems. Shortage of hgv drivers post brexit by a staggering 45,000, haulage bosses say the shortage is growing by some 50 a day by 2020 the hgv driver shortfall will be 150,000 professional hgv drivers are leaving the industry eu drivers are starting to return home.
The logistics industry is facing a driver shortage of between 45,000 50,000 workers and if something isnt done the deficit will only. Mar 04, 2016 the driver shortage vanished during the 2008 recession. Free seminars and webinars delivered by legal experts, backhouse jones, and a dedicated industry helpline will help you to plan ahead. Many drivers have worked for multiple trucking companies in the last few years and few drivers are finding driving jobs that offer stable employment which allows them to.
Over the last 15 years there has been a steady increase in average driver age, rising from 45. Freight rates are climbing, as theres more work than truckers can handle. The federal reserve, in its monthly beige book, cited the trucking sector as one area where employers have responded to. Hauliers warn of acute shortage of drivers the irish news. Wages in the industry are on the rise as the driver shortage deepens. Murphy attributed irelands looming driver shortage to a myriad of factors including red tape and the absence of an apprenticeship programme. However, since the recovery in 2011, the entire trucking industry came under the grip of a. Members have highlighted that hgv drivers and mechanics are becoming increasingly hard to recruit and the age demographic, specifically within the hgv driver population, is. Jan 14, 2018 a shortage of qualified hgv drivers threatens the boom in trade predicted once we have shaken off the eus shackles credit.
Fta is addressing the increasing concern surrounding skills shortages within logistics. The road transport industry is the backbone of the economy and plays an essential role in peoples daily lives. Truck driver shortage is on course to double in a decade. Hgv driver shortage at crisis point as critics question.
The idea of spending all day night or weekend on the road scares them. Government urged to act over hgv driver shortage truck news. Why is driver turnover so high in the trucking industry. A failure to deliver safe, secure rest areas and address shortcomings in the apprenticeship levy are damaging efforts to tackle the driver shortage, truck associations have warned. Most recently the ata estimated that the trucking industry ended 2018 with a shortage of more than 60,000 truck drivers. The driver shortage is a myth on the road trucking info. According to the american trucking associations, america will be short 175,000 drivers by 2026. The reality is that many believe being a hgv driver is a dying profession with only 1% of drivers being under the age of 25.
Significantly fewer young people are taking up careers as commercial drivers the average age of a truck driver is now at 57 years. The driver shortage is currently estimated at 35,000 lgv drivers 2. See if truck driver general is on one of immigration new zealands skill shortage lists. I passed my hgv theory test along with the hazard perception test and subsequently the class c. If something isnt done to attract more drivers to the industry the shortage will have a huge impact on goods being delivered around the uk and beyond. The term driver shortage has been recited for decades by the trucking industry, but experts say its now reached a peak.