The HGV drivers shortage remains, according to Logistics UK’s analysis of the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) Labour Force Survey data. But with the number of drivers in employment not falling as significantly as in recent quarters, the industry has expressed cautious optimism.
Government and industry have worked hard to address the key issues which have affected the recruitment of HGV drivers in the past,” says Sarah Watkins, Deputy Director – Policy Information at Logistics UK. “The reduction in numbers of HGV drivers in employment, generally caused by retirements or shifts into other careers, slowed in the first quarter of 2022, compared with the second half of 2021, which illustrates how actions such as increased wages for drivers, skills bootcamps and improved throughputs of testing by DVSA.
Such a large increase in the number of HGV tests being undertaken is testament to the work being done by DVSA to address its testing backlog, alongside the industry’s commitment to encourage new recruits to join the industry. Simultaneously, the very low number of HGV drivers claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance fell 70% from Q1 2019 to Q1 2022, indicating that there are hardly any surplus HGV drivers available for work.
Attracting new recruits and existing HGV drivers in the sector remains a critical priority for the logistics industry to secure a talent pipeline for years to come. It is vitally important that these initiatives continue to maintain recruitment levels and ensure that a pipeline of skilled drivers can be available to support the supply chain as the economy recovers after the pandemic. What the industry now needs is a renewed focus on the improvement of facilities for drivers across the strategic roads network, to provide the services and support which these key workers deserve during their working lives.