The haulage industry in the UK is grappling with a shortage of qualified drivers, a challenge that has impacted on many areas of transportation operations, delivery schedules, and overall supply chain efficiency. These driver shortages are the result of a combination of influences, particularly Brexit, the ongoing repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, and an ageing workforce within the industry.

Whilst driver shortages have been an industry-wide problem for UK haulage companies, at Hayward’s we have worked hard to proactively address the challenges presented to us, ensuring our transportation operations remain efficient and resilient, despite difficulties in the wider logistics sector. By adopting innovative recruitment approaches and investing in driver training and employee retention programmes, Hayward Transport sets an example of how hauliers can navigate their way through the HGV driver shortage.

In the current UK landscape, we can identify several key influencing factors in reducing the number of qualified HGV drivers.

Firstly, Brexit has led to much stricter immigration controls, significantly reducing the number of EU nationals that are eligible to work as drivers in the United Kingdom. Previously, a substantial percentage of the UK’s haulage drivers came from EU countries, and as a result of new immigration rules, as many as 60,000 EU drivers have left the UK.

The challenges resulting from Brexit were exacerbated considerably by the COVID-19 pandemic. The UK officially left the EU on the 1st of January 2020, and in March, the UK went into its first phase of lockdown as an attempt to prevent the spread of the virus. As well as leading to disruptions for haulage operations, pandemic safety measures also meant that thousands of HGV tests had to be cancelled, leading to a backlog and preventing a recovery from the shortage of drivers entering the industry.

Before Brexit or the pandemic, the UK haulage industry’s ageing workforce was already a problem. In recent years, a large portion of the UK’s qualified HGV drivers have been close to retirement age, with limited numbers of young drivers entering the profession to balance out the number of drivers retiring. Research from Logistics UK states that the average age of a haulage driver is around 50 years old, whereas only 2% of drivers are below the age of 25.

It’s also important to consider that working conditions can also be a factor influencing the shortage of drivers. Driving can be a physically demanding profession and hours can be long, so it’s vital for haulage companies to invest in working conditions to ensure that transportation is an appealing profession.

Having earned the reputation as ‘the people’s haulier’, people are at the centre of our success. As well as striving to provide bespoke solutions to our customers’ transportation problems, we also maintain the same commitment to our team, investing in their training and development, as well as taking steps to provide excellent working conditions.

Faced with a shortage of drivers, we have worked hard to implement strategies to recruit and train the right individuals, and retain a strong workforce at all times.

Recruitment and training

In order to find suitable driving candidates during a time where a HGV driver shortage is an issue throughout the UK haulage industry, we have implemented strong recruitment strategies based on offering training and support. 

At Hayward’s, we have established our own CPC training centre, allowing us to provide the highest level of training (meeting JAUPT standards for driver training), and helping us to support our drivers on a day-to-day basis following completion of training.

Utilising technology and improving working conditions

As with any profession, a high standard of working conditions is essential for attracting workers. One of the strategies we have introduced to improve working conditions is to leverage the latest technologies to make life easier for driving professionals. For example, advanced data analytics and route optimisation software help to reduce workload for our drivers by enhancing efficiency, making the job less stressful and more appealing.

We have also invested in electronic logging systems to automate administrative processes and eliminate the need for paper logs, saving drivers time and reducing the potential for errors. Most importantly, electronic logging systems automatically record driving hours, ensuring compliance with hours-of-service regulations and helping to reduce fatigue by making sure drivers take necessary breaks and rest periods.

Our support of our community

As well as working hard to provide great working conditions for our drivers, another way that we attract and retain our driving workforce is by engaging with and supporting our local communities. We remain committed to supporting a wide range of local community initiatives, particularly those aimed at fighting loneliness and ensuring that the most vulnerable people in society feel included and supported. Our drivers love to be involved in our community work, giving back to the community around them.

Whilst the driver shortages remain to be a significant challenge for UK haulage, impacting efficiency and overall supply chain stability, at Hayward’s, we are addressing these issues through our innovative recruitment and training strategies, as well as making the most of opportunities to improve conditions for our workforce. These steps are key to fighting back against the driver shortage, and helping us to keep individuals in the transportation industry.

By taking proactive measures, despite issues facing our industry, we are able to continue delivering a high quality of service to meet the ever-changing demands of our customers.

If you have a haulage problem that you need an effective solution for, contact ‘the people’s haulier’ today.