So there's a shortage of HGV drivers, caused mainly by EU drivers not returning to the UK, for one reason or another. Pundits are calling for the training of UK candidates, but with driverless trucks due to be on the road by 2030, who in their right mind would spend money on training to become redundant within 9 years?
The push toward autonomous trucks would mean fewer trucks, as there's no human at the wheel, who is limited by the number of hours he or she can drive without sleeping. The cost savings to operators would be enormous, so you can bet your bottom dollar that research into this technology will be massive, driven primarily by large supermarkets.
Social media commentators have suggested paying truck drivers a decent wage, but they can earn from £32k up to £47k, which isn't exactly chicken feed. Even then, paying a driver more might attract larger numbers to the industry, but it is only a long term solution - paying a driver more won't get him driving two trucks.
The only short term solution is to encourage EU drivers to return to the UK, but why would they when the government has spent the last 6 years making them feel unwelcome and their prospects will be shortened by a drive to recruit British drivers to replace them?
No comments:
Post a Comment