Department For Transport Push to Draw Youth to Logistics – But what else can be done?
The Department for Transport (DfT) has recently proposed a strategy to encourage more young people to pursue careers in transportation. As part of this initiative, they suggest allowing trainee drivers to start theory and off-road training for driving HGVs before they have a provisional license.
We already know the importance of a strong haulage sector in keeping shelves stocked, maintaining robust supply chains, and ensuring parcels arrive on time to name just a few. But we are also aware to the fact that the skills gap is widening, and the workforce is ageing. Barnes has been a long-time champion of encouraging young people into the logistics sector, so this is certainly welcome news. But what more can be done?
What Is The DFT’s New Proposal?
All new HGV, bus and coach and drivers will be held to the same training requirements as before, but the big difference proposed will be to remove a restriction that currently means that 18 to 20-year-old bus and coach drivers can only drive routes up to 50km.
It will also, according to the Government website, allow a person to undertake the theory and off-road manoeuvres tests required to gain their driver certificate of professional competence (DCPC) before being granted a provisional bus, coach, or heavy goods vehicle (HGV) driver entitlement.
Chris Yarsley, Senior Policy Manager for Road Freight Regulation at Logistics UK, said: “Allowing young people to start their driver theory training before obtaining their provisional licences will kickstart their route into becoming HGV drivers. However It is worth remembering that driving a vehicle of this size is a technically challenging occupation, which is highly regulated for a reason, and we will be ensuring as part of the consultation that all the necessary training for qualification as a safe and compliant driver is still achieved before taking to the roads.”
The consultation closes on 5th June 2024.
How We Can Encourage Young People Into Transport
We welcome the early training of young drivers in a safe and controlled environment and agree with Logistics UK that lessening the restrictions around the theory test will certainly make transport a more attractive and attainable career option for school leavers. However, we also recognise that more needs to be done in the industry to make it not just a simple route, but an attractive one.
Valuing drivers
Excellent workforce planning is something we’re very familiar with, having won an award for it earlier this year at the Supply Chain Awards. We recently reviewed every inch of our business to ensure we’re always putting our drivers first, resulting in an exponential growth in retention rates and employee satisfaction. We believe that the young generation is absolutely more likely to join an industry where they are treated with respect and paid fairly, this is something we hope to pioneer in the transport industry in the years to come.
Better service station facilities
It’s recognised industry-wide that there is a dire need for better facilities for drivers on the road. We’re often hearing about the latest innovations in offices and workplace perks, so why should our drivers not benefit from the same benefits and luxuries whilst they are working? We hope to see continuing pressure put on those who can make changes and reflect the view that “sentiment must turn into action.”
Recognise the need for environmental change
We know that big changes are to come in the next decade, especially with net zero targets and talk around going all-electric on the roads. We believe that this will encourage more young people into transport, with 64% of Gen Z saying it’s important for employers to take action on environmental issues. Therefore, we look forward to navigating the new challenges the industry faces and seeing the impact they have upon the skills shortages.
Digitise the industry
Finally, with around 40% of Gen Z using AI and new technologies at work, a digital transformation in the logistics sector would be welcome when it comes to attracting and retaining young talent. Plus, adopting new tech is already showing to be beneficial when it comes to fleet and warehouse management. Anything that creates a more agile workplace, whilst also helping to combat the ageing workforce, is a win for us!
We’d love to hear your thoughts on X (Twitter) and LinkedIn! Or, for more blogs from our team, head to our website
