IN NEED OF A MAKEOVER
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A makeover for the image of commercial vehicle drivers is needed if standards are to rise and more people are to be recruited to fight the current driver shortages.
The public perception of truck drivers needs to change completely and a concerted industry effort is required to achieve this.
Problems across the industry with drivers are well known but not easily solved. While there are some very good drivers out there, standards are patchy and there is a general shortage of drivers facing us all.
Firstly, we need to attract more people into the industry who are interested in becoming drivers. Secondly, those drivers must be able to see a career progression in front of them with an ongoing programme of training designed to maintain and enhance their vocational skills.
I believe that a complete change in the public perception of drivers is needed to achieve this—something that can only be achieved through a coordinated campaign.
The general public perception of a driver is not of a skilled professional providing a high quality service. Yet that is the image we need to project for the good of the haulage industry and also to attract new people. A new view of drivers is needed.
A key part of the transfor
mation will only be achieved through better pay structures across the industry that recognise and reward high levels of skill and training.
In any profession, pay plays a key part in the quality of people you attract. Wages for drivers who are interested in improving their skill levels should be better. Instead, we are in a position where wages tend to be low whatever the qualifications or experience of the driver.
This must clearly change. Michael Ilitttall, Contract hire director, Lex Trans fleet, Coventry.