The transport industries in both Europe and the US are suffering from a shortage of drivers, and the situation is just as serious here in Scandinavia. With increasing quantities of transported goods and sophisticated vehicles, which are both comfortable and safe, the profession should have broader appeal. One might ask, therefore, why the industry is not appealing to the younger generation. There’s probably no straightforward answer, but something will have to be done – and soon!
Driver shortage an industry-wide problem
Large freight forwarders have seen their profitability decline in recent years. The industry, which has undergone substantial consolidation resulting in fewer but larger operators, is anticipating increasingly challenging times ahead. The shortage of drivers has had considerable impact on hauliers. Many hauliers are forced to decline jobs due to driver shortages, and this type of production limitation leads to increased costs and loss of revenue.
In Sweden, the lack of drivers is severe. According to Swedish transport union TYA, there will be a need for 7,000 new drivers in the coming year – and 50,000 in the next decade.
If transport is the bloodstream of society, the drivers are the heart that pumps the blood.
Skilled drivers invaluable
An experienced and skilled driver is invaluable to a haulier. Unfortunately, the most experienced drivers are exiting the market and there are not enough new drivers to take their place. In Denmark, 50% of professional drivers are older than 50, and 15% are over 60, and there are 2,500 driver vacancies (July 2018). The situation is similar in the rest of Scandinavia. There are frightening figures showing that new recruitment is insufficient and that the shortage of drivers will be an even greater problem in the future.
The profession should have the status it deserves
Firstly, it must be stated that professional drivers today are considerably more qualified than compared to just a few decades ago. Today’s vehicles incorporate a far greater number of technological solutions and require drivers to master complex systems and sophisticated technologies. The driving profession is a responsible and advanced profession that deserves much higher status. This higher status will hopefully encourage more young people to pursue the profession.
We have to solve the problem together
Although the industry is severely affected by the driver shortage, not all available means are being used to attract new recruits. Surveys show, for example, that hauliers themselves are not doing everything they can to recruit. In other words, there is huge potential for improvement.
I personally believe that a broader, more collaborative approach to the problem is needed. In simple terms, authorities and industry organisations need to work together to a greater extent to tackle the problem and to attract a new generation of youngsters to a secure and appealing profession. Authorities and educational institutions must offer better and more attractive education options; hauliers must offer good, favourable working terms and conditions; and those of us who work with vehicles and equipment must continuously improve our products and solutions in order to offer drivers a simpler and safer workday.
Only when everything works well together will we be able to halt the negative development and move in the right direction. In order to accomplish this, all operators in the industry must possess a sense of responsibility and play an active role in attracting a new generation of drivers to the industry.
Retaining skilled drivers and attracting new ones are prerequisites to maintaining profitability. Feel free to download our tips on how hauliers can boost their profitability.
