A recent survey has reported skills shortages are a growing concern within the transport sector.
The survey was conducted by Logistics UK’s September 2021 Performance Tracker.
It produced some interesting statistics about the state of the industry.
For example, 96% of UK logistics businesses are now reporting problems recruiting HGV drivers.
However, the Performance Tracker also highlighted that skills shortages are growing across the entire logistics industry.
Therefore, it is not just the availability of HGV drivers that is an issue.
In addition, the survey recorded that more than 13% of businesses are now reporting severe to very severe problems recruiting warehouse staff.
This figure is compared with September 2020, when zero respondents reported facing recruitment challenges of that scale.
Furthermore, 24.5% of respondents also report severe or very severe problems recruiting van drivers.
Again, zero respondents reported facing such severe difficulties in September 2020.
Elsewhere, the report stated that overall business confidence had recovered to pre-pandemic levels.
Elizabeth de Jong, policy director, Logistics UK, analysed the statistics.
“The results of the September 2021 Performance Tracker show that the logistics industry is suffering from skills shortages that go beyond HGV drivers.
“Businesses are also facing challenges recruiting for vital roles.”
For example, de Jong cited mechanics, technicians and transport managers as three such roles.
de Jong said she was pleased that logistics businesses are taking steps to attract and retain HGV drivers.
However, she was “concerned that some supply chain disruption will continue until these crucial roles are filled”.
Specifically, Logistics UK’s Performance Tracker monitors the performance of the logistics industry each quarter.
In addition, the full results from the September 2021 Performance Tracker, can be viewed online.
The information is available to Logistics UK members and also non-members.
