Well, with the chancellor blowing a raspberry in last week’s Autumn Statement in regards an HGV driver training fund, it looks like the industry is on its own when it comes to tackling the driver shortage (although the RHA haven’t thrown in the towel just yet).
The newly released Manpower Employment Outlook Survey, based on responses from 2,103 UK employers, is the latest of many that suggests the road transport sector really is in the Christmas pudding in regards the skills crisis.
First, the expected from Simon Edwards, Manpower operations director: “The first quarter of the year is typically quieter for the transport sector, following the spike in activity over the peak season that has seen companies like Royal Mail recruiting 19,000 extra workers to deliver the nation’s Christmas gifts.
“This quieter first quarter looks to be especially prevalent going into 2015, following what was an exceptionally busy second half in 2014.” Fair enough.
However, Edwards said that while the recruiter was seeing a decline in hiring intentions, it’s still going to be a driver’s employment market with upward pressure on rates likely to be maintained (if not quite as excessive as seen in recent months).
“The skills shortage still persists across most roles in the sector. From class 1 and 2 ADR drivers – who need to be licensed to transport dangerous goods – to class 2 lorry loaders, 7.5 tonne drivers and van drivers needed by retailers for the growing ecommerce market, employers continue to look for skilled drivers.
“And it is not just drivers who are in demand, across the wider logistics marketplace, those experienced in warehouse and loading bay operations also have reason for optimism,” said Edwards, finishing with a flourish.
Looks like post festive peak operators will have only brief respite then before resourcing Easter becomes the next hurdle.