Transport Hub to Address Conservative/
Liberal Parties

Conservative party leaders meeting in Birmingham at the 2014 party conference heard an earful from a coalition of nine transport related organisations sounding the alarm over the astounding shortage of qualified commercial drivers in the UK. The coalition of organisations, also known as Transport Hub, will also address the Liberal Democrat conference to be held in Glasgow beginning this coming weekend (first week of October 2014).

For the last five years, Transport Hub has held events intended to inform lawmakers of the most pressing issues within the transport and haulage sectors. This year’s event, entitled ‘Transforming Transport – Securing And Supporting The Next Generation Of Employees’, is meant to help government leaders understand the importance of securing the haulage and transport industries and by encouraging more people to pursue careers as professional drivers.

The Freight Transport Association’s Director of Policy, Karen Dee, told HGV UK that her organisation’s members are generally concerned about the lack of qualified drivers. She maintains there are not enough students completing HGV and LGV driver training to support the industry.

“FTA members are telling us of their real concerns over the lack of professional drivers in the UK,” she said. “The driver shortage obviously affects freight operators and it is clear that it is becoming increasingly difficult to source drivers who have the necessary training to deliver the goods.”

To be clear, it is not that there is a lack of available training in the UK. Companies such as the HGV Training Centre are always looking to bring on new students ready and willing to learn. The difficulty is in convincing young people and those who have been victimised by redundancy to consider professional driving.

Negative Perceptions

Unfortunately, the transport and haulage industries constantly have to work to overcome negative perceptions. For example, any accident between an HGV and car is automatically assumed the fault of the HGV driver. The amount of negativity in the press makes it challenging to convince people that professional driving is a good career.

Make no mistake; it is a very good career for drivers of all ages. Professional driving offers stable employment, good pay, daily challenges, and the ability to earn a living without being stuck behind a computer screen or a piece of machinery. Professional driving is certainly not for everyone, that’s true, but it is a great career for many people.

The HGV Training Centre offers HGV, and LGV driver training at over 60 training facilities located throughout the UK. We have new classes forming all the time, so we should be able to get you started as soon as you are ready. All you need to begin your training is a full car licence and the ability to pass a routine medical exam.

We are ready to help you through the entire process – from preparing for your theory test to taking your practical skills test at an approved facility. At the HGV Training Centre, we are firmly committed to the success of our students and the industry as a whole.

Sources:

HGV UK – http://www.hgvuk.com/09/28/fta-focusing-on-driver-shortage/