1. HOW TO ATTRACT MORE DRIVERS TO THE PROFESSION
Truck Europe Forum
Berlin, 3 June 2008
Damian Viccars
Head of Social and EU Fiscal Affairs
IRU Brussels Office
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2008

2. Tackling the driver Shortage
THE PROBLEM IS:
Not New
Not simple
Not going away!
A feature of the economic cycle?
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2008

3. Tackling the driver Shortage
THIS PRESENTATION WILL OFFER SUGGESTIONS ON:
How to deal best with the shortage
How to boost recruitment and retention
How the IRU and its members can help…
BUILD A SUSTAINBLE WORKFORCE
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2008

4. Evolution of IRU Membership
Members 73 Countries
Created 1948
8 Founder States:
Belgium
Denmark
France
Netherlands
Norway
Sweden UK
Switzerland
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2008

5. IRU Priorities 2008 – Overview As per Art. 2 of the IRU Constitution
Facilitation
Trade
Tourism
Road Transport
Sustainable Development
Innovation
Incentives
Infrastructure
These are also the priorities of the IRU Academy
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2008

6. The Sustainable Workforce
Companies must be able to deploy their vital human resources as efficiently and as flexibly as the market demands
Road transport must remain an attractive career choice
A systematic framework of social rules are needed to establish minimum working conditions
NONE of these needs should be mutually exclusive!
But it is becoming harder and harder!
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2008

7. The EU Regulatory framework and burden………
Working Time Directive – in force from 23 March 2005
Sets new limits for maximum total working time
Enforcement of social legislation – in force from 1 May 2006
Minimum new controls on driving and rest times
Digital Tachograph – compulsory from 11 May 2006
Introduces new equipment in all vehicles for recording
driving rest times rules
Driving and Rest Time Rules – in force from 11 April 2007
Establishes new basic rules for driving and rest time
Driver Training Directive – in force from 10 September 2008/9*
Introduces compulsory CPC qualification and periodic training
* Applies in 2008 for Passenger transport / 2009 for Freight Transport
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2008

8. Pillars for a Sustainable Workforce
RECRUITMENT
Image enhancement of the profession
Targeted information to traditional and new social group sources of potential new drivers
Entrance requirements: Initial Training and CPC Qualification
RETENTION
Conditions and Career
Career Development and internal Communication
Ongoing Training
THESE TWO PILLARS SHOULD BE MUTUALLY REINFORCING
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2008

9. Image enhancement Restoring the Public Image of the Profession
Road Transport becomes visible to the general public for all the wrong reasons
The status of drivers in society can only increase alongside better public information about what they contribute to modern life
The myth of the low skilled, low paid driver with few prospects must be exposed as false
Drivers are multi-skilled, high value achievers working in an industry where career development and training is key
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2008

10. Ongoing work in Image Improvement and Recruitment
The IRU and its members are already active in efforts to boost
recruitment and to improve the overall image of the sector:
Members hosting national driver days and events to celebrate the
achievements of drivers and build a collective sense of pride in their
work
Members providing information to potential drivers on benefits and
routes into the occupation
Establishing contacts between companies and schools and even
setting up recruitment agencies
IRU International Drivers Day (Proposed)
To share best practice, broadcast positive messages internationally
and showcase the work of national associations
IRU Academy
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2008

11. Deepening and Diversifying the Supply of Drivers
Deepening the labour pool (traditional driver sources)
Targeted information campaigns on why and how to become a driver
establishing relationships with schools, recruitment agencies and armed forces
Widening the labour pool
Older workers
Women drivers
Foreign workers
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2008

12. Entrance Requirements
The Driver Training Directive and the requirement for new drivers in EU goods transport companies to hold a CPC comes into force from September 2009.
IRU member Associations are providing their members with detailed information and training concerning the Directive and how to manage it.
ALL THESE EFFORTS ARE NEEDED NOW MORE THAN EVER. NOT THE LEAST OF CURENT CONCERNS IS THE DRIVER TRAINING DIRECTIVE AND ITS POTENTIAL AS EITHER A BLESSING AND A BURDEN TO THE INDUSTRY.
THE MAIN GOALS OF THE EU LEGISLATION ARE TO ESTABLISH A MINIMUM LEVEL OF DRIVER COMPETENCE IMPROVE ROAD SAFETY, AND TO ENSURE THAT ALL DRIVERS ARE GIVEN A LEVEL OF TRAINING SUFFICIENT TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF THEIR JOB.
IN THE LONG TERM SWE HOPE THE DIRECTIVE WILL PROVIDE A SIGNIFICANT BOOST TO THE INDUSTRY CREATING A TRAINING CULTURE THAT AIMS TO PROFESSIONALISE DRIVER SKILLS AND THERFORE MAKE THE OCCUPATION MUCH MORE ATTRACTIVE TO PEOPLE WITH HIGHER CAREER EXPECTATIONS.
THESE PROJECTIONS ARE ALL ON THE POSITIVE SIDE, BUT OF COURSE WE HAVE TO RECOGNISE THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF THE NEW DIRECTIVE - THE REQUIREMENT FROM SEPTEMBER 2009 FOR NEW DRIVERS TO HOLD A CERTIFICATE OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE IN ADDITION TO THEIR DRIVING LICENCE - MAY WELL CREATE NEW OBSTACLES FOR DRIVERS STARTING THEIR CAREER.
WHAT IS ALSO WORRYING IS THAT IT IS APPARENT THAT NOT ALL MEMBER STATES HAVE MADE THE NECESSARY PREPARATIONS TO ENSURE THEY HAVE PUT IN PLACE ANM ADEQUATE FRAEMWORK AND INFRASTRUCTURE FOR TRAINING, EXAMINING AND CERTIFYING NEW DRIVERS.
IN THE MEANTIME IRU MEMBERS ARE DOING WHATEVER IS NECESSARY TO INFORM COMPANIES ABOUT SPECIFIC NATIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND ADVISING THEM TO BE PREPARED AND HOW TO DO SO.
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2008

13. Entrance Requirements
IRU – ETF - TAIEX Seminars on EU Social Legislation and the Driver Training Directive
(2006/2007) Seminars held in Budapest, Warsaw, Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius for operators and drivers.
National and international speakers from governments, training institutes, enforcement and trade unions and employer organisations.
IRU Academy:
Currently developing Driver Training CPC Courses!
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2008

14. Retention of Drivers
In 2003 Penna Sanders and Sidney an Anglo-American pay roll and human resources management company conducted a survey which showed across a number of industry sectors that:
36% of employees actively seek another job as soon as they start
69% are always looking for better opportunities
48% say that their loyalty is to themselves not their employer
41% believe employers have no interest in understanding career aspirations!
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2008

15. The Conditions and Career Conscious Driver
The Traditional driver is Conditions Conscious
Enjoys the on the job freedom and independence
Values earning power
Likes the lifestyle
Creating the Career Conscious Driver
Without losing the traditional driver, companies should look for employees who can combine this with an interest in:
stable and secure of employment
training that boosts individual performance
Knowing company goals and using their skills to achieve that goal
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2008

16. Career Development
Identification of employer and employee expectations including long term career goals
Identify skills deficiencies, targets and solutions
Communication and review of progress
Ongoing driver training as part of a driver development plan
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2008

17. Training and the IRU Academy
Launched in 1999
High Level Advisory Committee
34 Accredited Training Institutes
IRU Training Seminars
IRU Academy – online!
Courses:
Supported by:
CPC Manager
CPC ADR
CPC Driver (In progress)
HIV Aids Training
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2008

18. www.iru.org IRU Academy Initiatives IRU Academy homepage:
CPC DRIVER PROGRAMME
IRU Academy Initiatives
CPC MANAGER PROGRAMME
ATI Meeting
TACHOGRAPH PROGRAMME & DRIVING & REST TIME RULES
DANGEROUS GOODS (ADR) PROGRAMME
IRU ACADEMY SEMINAR & OTHER EVENTS
TRIPARTITE HIV/AIDS PROJECT
“IRU ACADEMY ONLINE“ INTERNET APPLICATION
ADC Meeting
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2008

19. “IRU ACADEMY ONLINE“ Internet Application
AVAILABLE TO
ANYONE
ANYTIME
ANYWHERE
The first Graduate Viewing Code provides a recommendation to Potential Employers (/J1)
The IRU Academy certifies that John Doe has received the Internationally Recognised IRU Academy CPC for the Road Transport Manager Diploma and is thus an excellent candidate for any transport manager position.
View my Online Résumé
The second Graduate Viewing Code provides a recommendation to Potential Clients (/P1)
The IRU Academy certifies that John Doe has received the Internationally Recognised IRU Academy CPC for the Road Transport Manager Diploma and is thus a highly qualified transport operator.
View my Online Résumé
PROVIDING
IRU ACADEMY CERTIFICATION, VERIFICATION & PROMOTION ONLINE !
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2008

20. Conditions Working conditions can improve.
The following should be taken into account by companies, social partners and government:
Driver welfare and work - life balance
Safety and security
Facilities and amenities – roadside rest areas
Training and development
Just rewards for drivers and companies
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2008

21. © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2008

22. 5th Euro-Asia Conference: Almaty
11-12 June 2009!
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2008