It's all a matter of image
Page 20

If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
A new SfL survey offers an interesting insight into working in road transport and logistics.
A survey oi transport industry workers by Skills for Logistics contradicts some common assumptions about the industry. There is a perception that career advancement is difficult, although 30% of respondents said they joined the industry because of career opportunities (24% joined because of the appeal of the industry; 16% said it was an exciting challenge). Transport is results-oriented; 36% said the best part of their job was achieving results. For 23% the best part was the variety and for 14% it was dealing with people. But only 3% cited job satisfaction. The worst aspect of the industry, according to the survey, was work/life balance (21%), followed by dealing with people (13%). However, congestion was way down at 4%, maybe because only 8% of respondents were drivers. Of the companies presenting a good image, Cumbrian haulier Eddie Stobart was far out in front (21%) with TDG second (12%). Driving a truck was viewed as the job with the best image by 27% of respondents; 17% said management had the best image. The principal barrier to joining the industry was said to be its poor image (32%), followed by long hours (24%) and skills gaps (10%). More training and promoting the industry were the most common suggestions to the poor image of the LGV driver with the general public.