Old dogs...
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...no new tricks?
Drivers in their fifties are threatening to retire from the industry before they have to comply with the requirements of the Driver CPC.
Words: Chris 1 indait
AN INVESTIGATION INTO the impact of the Driver CPC legislation on older drivers has tbund an alarming number ready to walk away from the industry over the next four years.
Agencies have hacked up the findings, telling CM about widespread "disillusionment" among large numbers of drivers in their fifties who view the European legislation as the final straw. An exodus of drivers could spell disaster for the industry considering how few young people are choosing truck driving as a profession. As the country emerges from the recession, the need for drivers will increase, but one agency tells CM it is already struggling to fill jobs Drivers explain that an early retirement is preferable to the cost. time and effort of sitting in classes being taught subjects they believe they arc already experts in.
One says: "I have been driving since Adam was a lad, but now I'm looking to get out before 2014.This CPC is just another scam for the government and training companies to rip us off. Nobody wants to pay for my training. I don't want to waste my time in a classroom paying for the privilege and losing a day's pay as well."
-Driver CPC is a joke" This comment is typical of many posted on truckers forum TruckNetUK. Another driver, `Westy', says: -The majority of people are right: the Driver CPC is a joke. After experiencing two courses I have no alternative conclusion. I paid my money and am none the wiser than before I attended both courses. I am supposed to do another three; thank God I have until 2014 to do them.
"I am now seriously thinking of leaving the industry. If this is the way things are going, then god help us."
John Jones director at Swift Recruitment in Newport. says the directive has brought into sharp focus the differences between the older and younger generations: "There's all this new technology, now there's the Driver CPC and they are confused and perhaps sometimes shy about things they should know but don't_ It's a concern to them. they are just fed up with it. My gut feeling is older guys will leave the market."
He says that next year has the potential to he a lot worse: "The signs are there. Drivers are disillusioned and so the Driver CPC will drive a lot of them out. New drivers will always come through, but enough people aren't seeing it as a worthwhile career."
Swift is not the only agency expressing concern. When Transline Driver Recruitment was asked if the Driver CPC was making some drivers consider leaving the industry, training manager Steve Buckley replies: "To put it bluntly, yes it is. They see it as another way for the government to raise money on the back of drivers. They think they are a never-ending cash cow."
Buckley says he is trying to put a positive spin on the courses it offers and, that if they just commit to one day per year. then it will be less of a headache. Rut he adds:-I can see where the drivers are coming from. Personally. the Driver CPC is a had thing because, if the older generation does walk away, who knows where we are going to end up. To be truthful, over the last four weeks we have been trying to get drivers but there's not enough. Everyone is trying to chase them."
Simon Edwards. head of driving at Manpower. says it has not yet experienced older workers leaving the industry or retiring early. but he adds: "It is the employer's responsibility to heighten awareness of the new CPC legislation and educate drivers,regardless of age. to ensure that they understand it and are able to comply with it."
Chevron Training in Flint. Wales, says it knows of drivers that have decided not to bother with the training if they are due to retire soon, hut partner John McKenna says he also knows of drivers in their seventies keen to take the courses."There arc others out there that
want to carry on." he sa■.,s.
Chevron 'training has also been running CPC courses for the PSV industry since 2008. and McKenna says there are issues in that sector too: -We haven't seen the uptake there either. They are still coming through, but in dribs and drabs We are always speaking
to companies and they are they are not doing anything abo the moment."
Mick Jackson, chief executive a for Logistics and board member Joint Approvals Unit for P Training (JAl irl"). is as concentec the trend as the agencies: -I thin] be a good idea to carry out a survey to really try to understa real fears of older drivers
"The way things stand, betwet and 2014. the current regime ch. call for assessment, all it looks attendance. I personally think should be assessment. but then regime was to go and sit in a cla: for seven hours, and then the exam, then I could perfect]: understand [drivers] reaction."
Jackson explains that -pragmat mon sense" is needed in order to the situation and that, over assessment may be introduced ii system: "It won't be long bac. PlayStation generation is coming says. -Let's run it under the regime for so many years. and the be that problem goes away. We h to address both ends of the pipelii
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