2,000 new truck drivers are needed to fill the current shortage at transport companies. Social partners in the transport sector and Social Affairs Minister Asscher have drawn up a plan for the trucking industry.
Among other things, the plan states that 2,000 drivers in training are guaranteed a job. The campaign to attract young people should start as early as the end of this year.
Ageing
The sector is currently ageing considerably. Soon, a large proportion of truck drivers will retire, causing a major shortage. According to Sector Institute Transport and Logistics (TLN), there are still transport companies that have to lay people off due to the aftermath of the crisis, but at yet other companies there would again be big shortages.
"A large group of drivers will retire in the foreseeable future and across the Netherlands there are fewer and fewer young people. That is why the sector plan includes measures to anticipate the growing need among companies for new drivers," said Arthur van Dijk, president of TLN.
Britain also raises the alarm
A major shortage of truck drivers is also emerging in Britain. With the rise of e-commerce, 60,000 extra drivers would be needed every year, while only 20,000 are added each year. New applications are said to be stalling due to the high cost of licensing. New drivers wishing to enter the profession have to pay up to P5,000. Transport companies hope the UK government will intervene with training programmes and recruitment campaigns.
Editorial LogistiekProfs
