Skilled drivers being ‘poached’

Skilled South African drivers are in demand – both regionally and internationally, according to Gavin Kelly, chief executive officer of the Road Freight Association (RFA).He distinguishes between a technically competent driver who has all the necessary qualifications and a skilled driver, who is able to deal with any road or traffic conditions he/she may face while operating the vehicle “sympathetically”.A skilled driver will reduce fuel consumption and wear and tear on the vehicle. While there are several training programmes available for the upskilling of drivers, the challenge for employers is finding a replacement while the driver is “out of the mix,” says Kelly.Another consideration is that the more training drivers receive, the more difficult it is to keep them.“There is a global scarcity of good drivers,” he says.This is confirmed by the number of websites recruiting drivers on behalf of European, American and British operators. One states: “Great news for non-European citizens! We proudly offer employment opportunities to individuals from all nationalities. If you’re a skilled truck driver seeking a rewarding career in the logistics industry, look no further.” According to the International Road Transport Union, more than 50% of trucking companies had difficulty filling driver positions due to the shortage in 2023.Commenting on this, Jack Shaw of the USC Consulting Group says the pool is shrinking because far fewer young people are entering the trucking industry.“Many of those who remain are demanding higher wages. Employers can either comply or lose their staff to competitors, further driving up operational expenses.”According to the American Bureau of Labor Statistics, American long-distance truck drivers earn an average of $55 990 a year (over R1 million), with the top 10% taking home around $76 780 (R1.4 m).Top-earning truck drivers can be found in Switzerland (around R1.3m per year), Australia R1m and Belgium R950 000.British companies are offering over R1.3m. According to Salaryexpert South African truck drivers earn an average of R210 00 a year, with senior drivers being paid around R255 000. ER