RHDTC launches campaign to recruit 100,000 drivers
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RI by Dominic Perry
The Road Haulage and Distribution Training Council (RHDTC) has announced ambitious plans to to recruit an extra 20,000 drivers a year over the next five years to tackle the industry's acute driver shortage.
Commercial Motor can reveal that the council's Workforce Development Plan will include an extension of the Modern Apprenticeship and HGV Young Drivers schemes to attract some 11,000 young people into the industry every year. Another 8.000 drivers are expected to come through extending training for the over-25s, including the New Deal scheme for the unemployed.
RHDTC chief executive Ian Hetherington says it is vital that the scheme succeeds: "If we do not address the issues of driver and skills shortages then frankly the profitability and competitiveness of the entire industry is going to be threatened."
He admits that it will be an uphill struggle"—CM's Driver Drive 2001 campaign has highlighted transport firms' reluctance to take on inexperienced drivers. But Hetherington says the Young Drivers scheme goes way beyond current licence requirements: "It's a very different kettle of fish and will give young drivers some very solid background." Three major transport firms are currently piloting the scheme.
The schemes will be partly funded by the £5m announced in the Budget for training. with additional money from the Leaning and Skills Council. But Hetherington adds much of the cost will be borne by firms who take on the apprentices.
Transferable training loans to prevent newly trained drivers being poached by other firms will also be considered. Plans to open up recognised career paths and to improve training for managers and supervisors are included.
TOG Safety & Training Services has welcomed the plans but adds: "The standards TDG requires already exceed those of NVQ Level 3 and the onus will remain on logistics operators to professionally develop drivers throughout their careers in line with our customers' requirements.
"It also does not affect the issue of the retention of existing drivers. As an industry we need to improve their skills continuously as part of structured internal development programmes."
David Higginbottom, director of training consultant HDTS, says: "Generally the approach is exactly right and reflects a lot of the work that has gone on in this area." "But deep down in this paper there is evidence of political battles still to be won."