Current News

REC report shows Drivers sector is still struggling through the recession

 The impact of the recession in 2009 has been exceptionally challenging for the drivers’ sector, and there will be little sign of recovery until at least 2011 according to a new report from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC).

The REC Drivers Industry report identifies areas where a wider diversity of candidates could be attracted to the Drivers Industry which in turn could also help to reduce staff and skills shortages. The report also highlights the full force of the recession on the industry and the negative impact it has had on the sector. It also focuses on the opportunities that will emerge during the recovery which need to be captured to ensure there are enough drivers for when growth returns to the sector.

Other topics covered in the report include information on the introduction of the Drivers CPC, first seen as a burden by many drivers and their employers.  However, it has now been presented as a positive indication that the skills base will improve competitiveness for the industry.

Commenting on the REC Drivers Industry Profile, Mike Cooper, Vice Chair of the REC Drivers Sector, said:  

“The research information relating to the driving industry is invaluable as it is only by reviewing the past that we can plan for the future. Having experienced the worst recession in living memory, we need to take advantage of the opportunities now presenting themselves to us. This information will play a significant role in determining how and where we should concentrate our resources to maximise our efforts in order to grow out of the recession.”

Other key findings of the profile conducted by the REC’s Industry Research Unit are:

• The UK Logistics Sector which includes HGV drivers and warehousing is worth £74.45bn to the UK economy. One in 12 people in the UK now work in Logistics with 2.3 million people employed in 196,000 companies
•  Transport and Logistics is the fifth largest sector of the UK economy
• The cost of fuel is also a major concern across the industry. It could rise further during the year, pushing prices to consumers and constraining the return to growth
• Two factors were of equal importance to Driver and Transport employers when using an agency – cost and reliable high quality workers

The profile was launched at the REC Drivers General Meeting which was also addressed by Mick Jackson, CEO of Skills for Logistics who spoke about the changes to the Logistics industry. Members were also given an overview two years on of the launch of Drivers CPC. Copies of the Drivers Sector Profile are available to members at the REC’s website www.rec.uk.com/drivers