Network North: How will it benefit truck drivers?

Anyone working in the haulage industry is no stranger to the term; 'Driver Shortage' a phrase all too common since COVID-19 and Brexit disrupted the sector. The UK was hit hard during this time, with many EU drivers leaving the country a big loss as European drivers made up a significant portion of its truck driving workforce.Six months after our on this topical issue, we examine where the sector is now. Figures published by showed an increase of almost 55,000 HGV Drivers employed over the last year a 21% rise. Several initiatives have come to fruition to try to ease the driver shortage in the UK. • The government has implemented 33 initiatives aimed at easing the shortage. These include but are not limited to, relaxing the rules for late-night supermarket deliveries, driver training boot camps, and increasing the number of available driving tests. • Truck drivers have been across the UK, with 55% wanting improved facilities. The has provided £16 million to truck stops to improve facilities. Influencers have played a significant role in changing public perceptions regarding the industry. Drivers like and use their platforms to highlight the highs and lows of working in the sector.Logistics UK also reported that the number of drivers under the age of 35 rose by 31,630 between Q3 2023 and Q3 2024. Despite this, the industry still relies on older drivers with more than 53% across the sector aged 50 and over. A report from the RHA, titled , suggests initiatives to attract younger people into the industry by:• Fully implementing the 8 Gatsby Benchmarks to provide an effective career guidance system to all school-age students to boost awareness. • Increasing collaboration with schools and colleges.• Developing a formal school or college-based qualification such as a T-Level.• Incorporating logistics modules in the current curriculum.• Leveraging government-supported initiatives incorporated within the Make Work Pay programme, showcasing logistics as an accessible and rewarding career path.Although work has already begun to tackle the driver shortage, more work needs to be done to avoid a repeat of 2021:• More government funding must become available for truck stops to improve facilities. • Providing ongoing support for aspiring drivers, including boot camps to reduce training costs.• Offering greater flexibility within the new Growth and Skills Levy.• Collaborating with schools and colleges at a local level to promote careers in the industry. HGV drivers are leaving the industry for a multitude of reasons:• Ageing workforce: With many truck drivers over 50, the industry has seen an influx of drivers retiring. • Working hours: Trucking is a lonely profession, with drivers working long, irregular, and antisocial hours behind the wheel. • Working conditions: There have been significant concerns regarding the state of facilities, long hours, and unpredictable schedules.

On 22nd January 2025, it’s HGV Drivers Day. Established by NN1 Personnel (recruiters and suppliers of truckers in the logistics industry), the day aims to celebrate drivers and all they do for the economy and society. Without truckers, who often experience various difficulties in the role (including being away from their families and home, long working hours, and travelling in extreme weathers), we would be without our necessary products and convenience. They truly have been heroes over the last few years as well as prior to that – the pandemic was only one example of this. How you mark the day is up to you. , for example by providing drivers with a hot drink or chatting with them. Here at SNAP, we’re always keen to give truckers a voice. And so, for this HGV Drivers Day, that’s exactly what we’re doing. Following a recent post on our asking about the and how to ensure young people have the enthusiasm to join the industry, we’re highlighting some of the commentary from truckers that show their real-life experiences – from the challenges they face to what they love about their job. A key talking point for drivers is how the role impacts their personal lives, such as not being there for important moments in life, having to sleep in their cab, and the money not being worth the sacrifices they make. Statistics back up the feedback. For example, it’s been found ) – compared to 37.5 hours for all employees, this is a substantial 28% higher. And so, it’s not surprising . Nor is it shocking that such a significant number have left the sector, including . For some who commented, they’ve moved on from the industry and into other roles that make them happier. But for others, they reflected on the good memories of riding in lorries with their dads as children, along with the value of it and how this experience led them to join the sector themselves after finishing their education. On a similar note, many disagreed with trucking not being the ideal job – whether it was for the money or just their love of driving a lorry. All these comments make it clear that while truckers certainly face challenges, there’s still a lot to love and for some it’s a career they’re happy to do for life – so it makes sense that around . We think it’s crucial everyone acknowledges all truckers do for us. Unfortunately, some drivers pointed out that they experience a significant lack of respect. This shouldn’t be the case – they should be recognised for what they do to give us all the bare necessities in life. As one trucker put it: So, this HGV Drivers Day – and every other day, in fact – we ask everyone to acknowledge those out on the road for us. Truckers deserve praise, respect, and so much more.

From general driver unhappiness to the recent driver CPC changes to delays to the , 2024 has been a whirlwind for the logistics industry. And there’s plenty on the horizon for 2025 – here we explore the trends expected to shape the sector. It's anticipated that automation will play a key role in the year ahead. There will be developments in autonomous vehicle technology, transportation management systems, and electronic logging devices – resulting in more adoption and considerable changes within the industry. Plus, an increase in for , predictive maintenance, and fleet management is on the cards. This will trigger better results such as improved operational efficiency and reduced costs. The Internet of Things (IoT) and machine learning will be particularly valuable, being utilised to foresee equipment malfunctions, which will curtail downtime. On a similar note, telematics will share valuable live data related to vehicle performance, driver behaviour, and cargo status – leading to better safety and compliance. Attracting more female truckers is a way to deal with the . Employers could provide a wider range of roles, introduce training programmes and policies that would benefit women, and make the working environment more inclusive. With the latter, ideas include mentoring or working patterns that better suit the lives of truckers (like day shifts and covering circular routes to support those with family commitments). However, discussion on the revealed both male and female drivers need change. While some pointed out that certain things could be better for women (for instance, one remarked that 90% of depot facilities don’t have sanitary bins), there were many comments about the overall employee package and truck stop amenities: And so, companies should look at how to entice and retain their entire workforce. They may offer better compensation, working conditions, and opportunities for development. Likewise, they can implement training to ensure people have all the right capabilities – for now and the future. Another core focus will be – especially due to increasingly stricter environmental laws, the move towards net zero, and skyrocketing fuel prices. Alternate fuel vehicles didn’t meet expectations in 2024, so it’s anticipated that while innovation in this area will still happen, there will be more of a shift towards focusing on how fleets can boost operational efficiency (for example, by using technology, data, and AI to reduce wasted time). Companies will also look to build greener supply chains by working with more eco-friendly suppliers and carriers. Similarly, the move to electric trucks is on the rise – there will be more of a rollout of EV charge points in truck parks this year. However, fleet companies face barriers such as substantial upfront costs and an insufficient amount of charging infrastructure. Lastly, there’s a predicted surge in air and ocean cargo, which will have a knock-on effect on the trucking industry. This is only heightened by global supply chains becoming more and more interconnected. As a result, there will be a rise in long-distance freight – making it even more important that drivers have adequate breaks at safe truck stops. And this is where can help. Our has over , including in Austria, Bulgaria, Czechia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, and Romania. We help make fleet management simple and ensure both operators and truckers can adhere to in 2025 and beyond. To learn more, get in touch with our team on +44 (0)1603 777242.