Despite the tight labour market, logistics service provider Simon Loos managed to recruit more than 100 drivers in 100 days.
Using the hashtag #100dagen100chauffeurs, the company set itself the goal of hiring 100 drivers in 100 days. This goal seemed impossible, but nothing could be further from the truth: at the end of the 100 days, Simon Loos employed 182 new drivers. Interest proved overwhelming. At times, the service provider's website was even down. Simon Loos also organised walk-in job interviews, giving drivers the opportunity to get acquainted - without an appointment - and possibly apply immediately. At a walk-in time in Wognum, this resulted in over 40 applicants at the door.
Demand for training courses high
HR manager Eric Stam thinks the success of the campaign is due to Simon Loos' accessibility. After all, anyone can apply there. "We take every application seriously. Young, old, experienced or inexperienced, everyone can get a chance with us. Even if you don't yet have a Code 95, for example. Because we have our own training courses and driver coaches, we can arrange a lot in this ourselves." Stam does argue that the guidance options are currently deployed to the limit. "Unfortunately, that also means that sometimes we cannot offer promising aspiring drivers a job anyway at the moment."
The logistics service provider noticed the high demand for training projects. "Apparently, many people are eager to be trained as drivers. This offers hope for filling transport vacancies," the company writes on its website.
Even more drivers
Simon Loos will also continue to recruit new drivers in the coming months. Due to expansion of work, assignments and locations, the demand for new drivers is still increasing. Moreover, in some regions it is more difficult to find good staff. Especially in and around Breda, Tilburg and Veghel, regions known as logistics hotspots, Simon Loos has to work hard to fill vacancies. Here, therefore, the service provider continues to organise weekly walk-in applications. It also offers home accommodation to drivers from northern provinces when they want to work in central Brabant. "As far as we are concerned, the problem in the more southern regions is first of all due to the large number of vacancies. But probably the less positive image of Shop Distribution is also a pain point. That is why our campaign will focus even more on that image. We want to show that Retail Distribution does have advantages for example, that it is an ideal job if you want to see your children grow up. Working part-time is quite possible, the social contacts at the branches and with colleagues are fun, and the idea of 'round the church' is really long gone," says Stam.
Editorial LogistiekProfs
