I was concerned to learn that Western European road transport firms have a shortage of nearly 150,000 qualified drivers and that the UK leads the way with unfulfilled jobs waiting for 52,000 drivers.

Supply chain analyst European Road Freight Transport published a report last month showing that of that 150,000 total, 127,500 jobs are available in just six countries; the UK, Germany, France, Sweden, Denmark and Norway.
In the report it states that Germany has a shortage of 45,000 while France has 20,000 vacancies.

The report highlights the problems in Germany where it is expected that two-thirds of drivers will retire in the next fifteen years. With a current shortage of 45,000 drivers, they are seeing a further 30,000 leaving the profession annually. The problem is that only some 2,000 people are completing relevant truck driving qualifications each year.

In recent times, the gap has partially been filled by Eastern European drivers but the report claims this supply is limited. It is further complicated by the recent trend for many global manufacturers locating their production facilities in Central and European countries, providing a ready source of employment for drivers who might otherwise look abroad for work.

The unfortunate picture is that of trucks across Europe, parked up and fully loaded, but with no drivers available for them.