Driver shortage could mean empty shop shelves

“We’ll get it there when we can” is what one local haulier has had to tell some customers due to a shortage of lorry drivers.

Supermarkets in Britain have been left with empty shelves due to the difficulty in getting drivers, coupled with supply chain issues as a result of Brexit.

However, Ray Cole of Virginia International, is warning that Ireland could be facing problems too.

“I was only in England myself yesterday and I was in a supermarket and the shelves were half empty,” he said. “It’ll come here now too,” predicted Mr Cole.

The British Government has suspended competition regulations and is considering drafting in soldiers to drive tankers in a bid to relieve ongoing issues with fuel supplies.

Long queues formed at petrol stations across England, with panic buying leading to many having to close as they ran out of fuel.

The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has warned that up to 4,000 drivers are needed to deal with demand in Ireland.

More attractive options in the education system and the age limit of 21 years to drive a HGV are among the issues being blamed.

“The big thing is there’s no young people coming into the game,” says Mr Cole. “You can’t get driving until you’re 21.”

He says, by this age, young people have left school and been attracted into the education system or to trades like carpentry or plastering.

Many others choose to emigrate, with some UK companies offering up to £2,000 in a sign-up fee and 30 days of holidays a year, something smaller Irish companies say they cannot match.

In one case, one of Ray’s drivers recently decided to take up a new position in the UK.

“He was getting £210 a day and I said send on an application form and I’ll be right behind you,” he joked.

IRHA president Eugene Drennan is calling for the Government to set up a new task-force to look at what can be done to entice people into lorry driving.

COVID-19 is said to have compounded the problem, with Mr Cole saying many drivers worked up holidays over the pandemic and some from Eastern Europe returned home for breaks and decided to stay as pay has improved there.

While some may be attracted by other career options or education opportunities, locally there are options that will leave people fully qualified HGV drivers.

Traineeships

“The Road Haulage Association approached us with this traineeship model,” says Michelle Baker, recruitment officer with CMETB.

The organisation previously had its own training courses in HGV driving but these were combined into the new traineeship that includes work placement opportunities.

“Having the linkages with the Road Haulage Association gives us a wider scope of employers [for students],” explains Ms Baker.

Anyone who completes the HGV Professional Driver Traineeship receives a qualification to drive a rigid truck, artic and forklift, an ADR qualification - which allows them to transport hazardous materials - and CPC qualifications.

“You’re not just coming out with your full licence in an articulated or rigid, you’re getting more,” highlights Ms Baker.

Consultations with the IRHA and hauliers generally see the course constantly updated to meet their needs and offer graduates the best chance of employment.

She’s proud of the work that goes into giving graduates the best opportunities.

“Oh it has to be [updated]. There’s no point in us giving people qualifications that aren’t going to make them more employable.

“One of the things we’ll be looking at for the next one is around smart eco driving,” comments the recruitment officer.