A leading recruitment agency is warning of major potential transport and logistic issues if a lack of driving staff is not met.
City Centre Recruitment which has offices in Weymouth, Yeovil and Bournemouth, also operates a nationwide specialist driving division, recruiting drivers for all driving jobs right across the UK from its office in Rugby in the Midlands.
However, the company reports that due to a number of reasons there is currently a dire lack of qualified and experienced candidates coming forward approaching what is the busiest time of year in the transport industry.
Recruitment specialist Tina Hawkins, herself a fully qualified HGV1 licence holder, states that there could be some serious problems ahead. “From September onwards there is always a peak in demand in the transport industry as all major distribution centres ramp up activity in the pre-Christmas build up. This year everyone involved in haulage and transportation is reporting problems in getting drivers in place. It’s a case of supply and demand, and there just doesn’t seem to be enough experienced and qualified drivers available to work at the moment.”
According to City Centre Recruitment, the difficulties will be exacerbated by a new European ruling coming into force on September 9th2014. From this date it will become a legal requirement for all Class 1 drivers to hold a CPC card in order to work legally. Tina added, “To gain a CPC card all Class 1 drivers must have participated in 35 hours of mandatory training. From all our industry specialist knowledge and contacts, we are aware that many drivers are yet to complete all their hours, and therefore may not meet the cut-off date. Drivers without the CPC will become illegal and face fines of up to £1,000.”
The demand for drivers comes as the economy continues to improve, with more businesses expanding and taking on new staff. From their own experience, City Centre Recruitment has also found that some European drivers who had come to the UK to work are now returning home where more jobs are becoming available, adding to the shortage.
Dan Shrimpton, MD at City Centre added, “We’ve seen an explosion in requirements for drivers throughout the UK. We can guarantee work for HGV1 and HGV2 drivers, and can even assist in getting your CPC up to date to keep you on the road. At the moment being a lorry driver definitely means the world’s your oyster in terms of job opportunities!”
To contact City Centre Recruitment call their Weymouth office on 01305 831 707 or the nationwide driving division on 0345 450 3360 (local call rates apply). More information is available on the City Centre Recruitment website www.citycentrerecruitment.co.uk
Julie-Anne Houldey
