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Driver shortage?
Page 53
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It depends how you tackle it
• By offering to train applicants and by stressing the level of wages now obtainable by lorry drivers, two large hauliers have recently discovered that the current driver shortage can be overcome. One company had such a response that it was able to select 40 potential drivers. In the opinion of Williams Brothers (Queensferry) Ltd, Chester, and Hallett Silbermann Ltd, Feltham, there is no real shortage of manpower available to the road haulage industry, but to attract its operators must take a fresh approach in their recruitment methods. And these companies contend that by offering training to prospective recruits, suitable labour can be employed.
Following a succession of singlecolumn-inch advertisements in a local newspaper, Williams Brothers had, like many hauliers, not satisfied its driver requirements. Mr Edgar Williams, the managing director told CM: "We decided to take a real plunge and tackle recruitment on a larger scale." The company took a half-page advertisement in the local newspaper, stating the wages and fringe benefits but also pointing oat that training was to be provided.
This time, applications were received from many sources and not all from men already engaged or trained as goods vehicle drivers, "There were applications from clerical workers, shop assistants and warehousemen," Mr Williams told CM.
The company has selected no fewer than 40 suitable applicants for training and each one has had a personal letter from Mr Williams stating that when training places become available he will be invited to join the company.
The local group training association could not accommodate the additional trainees with its existing staff but the RTITB has seconded an instructor to the GTA for the exclusive use of Williams Brothers, to train the 40 new men. The result is that early in 1971 the company will have a full complement of trained personnel.
Mr John Silbermann also took a new approach to his vacancy problem by authorizing his branch manager at Feltham to put 1000 circulars—detailing wages and training—through letterboxes at homes in the immediate vicinity of the depot. Applications were quickly received from men in many walks of life. Mr Silbermann said: ,"It was surprising how many own-account drivers there were who had apparently not considered the possibility of entering road haulage."
Both Mr Williams and Mr Silbermann are well known as campaigners for a reduction in the minimum age of h.g.v. drivers, from 21 to 18. Both say they will continue in their efforts because they believe that the best recruitment age for the transport industry is 18.
"I believe in getting them young," CM was told by. Mr Williams, who recently made a sortie into public schools to interest the pupils in transport management. He also took 20 public schoolboys on a visit to the RTITB's Motec 1, and eight of them have now decided to follow a career in transport.