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Stuart Gentle Publisher at Onrec

Driver Candidate Shortage Continues says Recruitive

According to figures released by recruitment software provider, Recruitive, there continues to be a decline in the number of drivers applying for jobs within the transport and logistics industry

According to figures released by recruitment software provider, Recruitive, there continues to be a decline in the number of drivers applying for jobs within the transport and logistics industry.

The number of job vacancies within the sector, advertised via Recruitive’s multi-job posting software, increased by 2.74% in August compared to July, which follows a steady month on month increase over the last 6 months.  Despite this increase, the average number of candidates applying for the vacancies continues to decline, with August seeing the biggest drop so far this year.

Recruitive has announced these figures just as the Transport Committee announces a skills and workforce planning inquiry into the lack of professional drivers in the haulage industry, a move which has been welcomed by many including the Freight Transport Association. 

With an estimated 150,000 extra drivers required in the UK by 2020, it is thought that the cost of applying for a HGV licence is deterring the young from embarking on this career.  Over the past five years there has been a decrease of 32,000 HGV licence applications.  Richard Clarke, Managing Director at Recruitive comments; “Our software is helping many leading logistic companies overcome their recruiting issues, however, it is clear that more still needs to be done to attract new drivers to the industry.” 

Richard continues; “To secure good drivers ahead of the competition, it is imperative that recruiters act quickly.  Our software not only streamlines the process, making it more cost and time efficient, it also broadcasts vacancies across a wide network of both general and specialist job boards, reaching out to an increased pool of talent.  We are having to support more of our logistics industry clients to extend their reach across these further channels, just to maintain the required candidate application levels they were previously enjoying."

Recruitive believe that a call to reduce the costs involved in applying for a HGV licence, for new entrants to the profession, would probably be a good starting point.

For more information about Recruitive software please visit
www.recruitive.com