200,000 HGV drivers needed in the next 5 years

A new report from the Road Haulage Association (RHA) entitled ‘Lorry drivers – the vital link – attracting, training and retaining key workers in the UK supply chain’ highlights the need for 40,000 new drivers per year over the next five years.

With 81% of all freight in this country transported by road, firms and drivers in the road transport sector are essential to keeping supply chains running smoothly. From food and medicine to fuel and construction materials, the industry plays a crucial role in society.

This report warns that the UK’s logistics industry will require 40,000 new HGV drivers annually for the next five years – to meet growing demand and to avoid the sort of driver shortage seen in 2021. The association also makes a series of recommendations aimed at improving the retention of drivers.

There are significant structural issues with the driving labour force including an ageing workforce, narrow diversity and driver retention. As the report spotlights, these remain ongoing issues which could cause serious problems in the next few years if they aren’t swiftly addressed.

RHA Skills Policy Lead, Sally Gilson said: “Businesses across the road transport sector are key economic enablers – and attracting people into the industry and building the foundations for a future workforce is essential. If we’re to future-proof the industry for the long term, we need to recruit, train and retain tens of thousands of drivers annually to meet demand. With an ageing workforce, we also need to attract more young people into the industry. To get there, we must prioritise flexible, funded training options.

“Rising costs and insolvencies equally highlight the need for continued support through programmes like bootcamps to ease training expenses. Industry and government collaboration with training providers will be key to recruiting and retaining staff and avoiding future driver shortages.”

To unlock career opportunities and pathways for future opportunities in road transport and logistics, the RHA has a series of key recommendations:

Greater flexibility is needed within the new Growth and Skills Levy to allow businesses in the road transport sector to fully utilise funds effectively for more flexible training options.

Employers to be able to use available funds for the courses and training that best works for them.

More industry collaboration with schools and colleges at a local level to promote careers in logistics.

The association is also calling for Government at all levels to collaborate with employers and educational institutions to develop industry specific training programmes such as T-Levels.

The RHA is calling on government, industry partners, and training providers to work together to ensure that the workforce is in place to drive forward growth over the next decade.

You can read the report in full here: www.rha.uk.net

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