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Less demand for drivers in Xmas rush
Page 15
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THE ROAD TRANSPORT industry will need about 15,000 LGV drivers in the run-up to Christmas, according to a survey by Skills for Logistics (S1L).
Last year, SIT. predicted that the industry would need 4-6,000 drivers for the 2005 Christmas rush.
SIL's head of research, Stephen Wells, believes the situation may have improved because the rules originally proposed for the Road Transport Directive changed before it was introduced in spring last year. It is possible that this "softened the blow". he says. Addi tional ly," many companies have undertaken a range of activities to minim ise its affects, including more use of technology and the removal of non-driving work from drivers."
However. Wells warns that a shortage of 15,000 LGV drivers this autumn could cost the economy hundreds of millions of pounds.
The latest figures are based on research conducted by the government-funded organisation in November-December 2005.
The findings also reveal: • Half of the companies ques tioned recruited in the last year and half found it difficult to find the right staff • More overseas EU drivers than expected joined the UK workforce • Only 1% of drivers arc women and 4% from ethnic minorities • Weakness in the UK economy decreased the level of demand for more drivers and reduced the number leaving voluntarily to take up non-driving jobs Sfl fs research involved 19,000 LGV drivers, 5,000 van drivers and 1.201) UK companies that employ transport staff.