Susie Jones
Новини и актуализации • 4 мин. четене

Как да се справим с разнообразието от водачи в бранша

Създаден: 21.08.2024

Актуализирано: 21.08.2024

Ако ви помолим да опишете шофьор на камион, отговорът ви може да представлява стереотипен образ на възрастен бял мъж. Точно ли е това? Традиционно в сектора на товарните превози преобладават мъжете. С течение на годините отрасълът стана по-разнообразен и отвори възможности за жени, хора на различна възраст и с различен произход да навлязат в тази област. Разнообразието се увеличава, но външните предизвикателства като Brexit и пандемията го стунираха.

Жените в индустрията

Въпреки че в Обединеното кралство има недостиг от до 100 000 водачи на тежкотоварни автомобили, само 1-3% от шофьорите на камиони са жени. Тогава защо повече жени не се записват за живота на пътя?

  • Безопасност: Смята се, че 60% от жените шофьори на камиони са се чувствали несигурни по време на работа. Много от тях са изразили необходимостта да паркират на светло, да планират спирките си и да носят лютив спрей.

  • Техника и оборудване: От ергономична гледна точка камионите са създадени за мъже. В миналото жените са смятали, че достигането до контролните уреди, регулирането на седалките и физическите аспекти на работата ги ограничават. Технологичният напредък обаче означава, че физическото натоварване не е проблем. Повечето съвременни камиони вече имат сервоусилвател на волана и автоматични скоростни кутии, които улесняват работата.

Въпреки тези трудности, жените изразяват мнението си и налагат промени в индустрията. Шофьори като Джоди Смит са безценни защитници на индустрията. Джоди споделя своя опит в областта на товарните превози онлайн и доказва, че тази индустрия не е само мъжки свят.

"Шофирането на камион не е мъжка работа - мога да свърша тази работа с пълен комплект акрилни бои! Доста е физическа, но не е трудна", заявява Джоди, когато с нея разговаряхме през 2021 г.. Със седем години опит зад гърба си Джоди продължава да се застъпва за това повече жени да се присъединят към общността на превозвачите на камиони.

Резултат, който би могъл да доведе до по-безопасни пътища - Данните на Американския институт за транспортни изследвания показват, че жените са по-безопасни шофьори на търговски превозни средства. Вероятността мъжете шофьори да участват в катастрофа е с 20 % по-голяма в сравнение с техните колеги жени.

Възрастово разнообразие в индустрията

Националната статистическа служба сочи, че средната възраст на шофьорите на тежкотоварни автомобили е 48 години, а 47 % от шофьорите на камиони в Обединеното кралство са над 50 години и искат скоро да се пенсионират. Тези статистически данни, наред с настоящия недостиг на шофьори, показват нуждата от по-млади шофьори в бранша.

Това е по-лесно да се каже, отколкото да се направи; много млади шофьори са изправени пред следните предизвикателства:

  • Обучение: Получаването на шофьорска книжка за търговски цели може да струва до £2,000

  • Застраховка: Въпреки че минималната възраст за шофиране на тежкотоварни автомобили в Обединеното кралство е 18 години, мнозина се затрудняват да получат застраховка.

  • Опит: Някои компании искат да наемат опитни шофьори, което може да е пречка.

  • Условия: Животът на шофьорите на камиони може да бъде труден - дългите часове и времето, прекарано далеч от близките, могат да бъдат възпиращи. Въпреки това животът на пътя има много предимства, като например общност, пътуване, заплащане и стабилност на работата.

Фирмите, които търсят шофьори, могат да се възползват от наемането на по-млади шофьори на камиони. Те са по-склонни да се адаптират към постоянно променящата се индустрия. Освен това те се учат бързо и приветстват технологичния напредък. Увеличаването на броя на младите шофьори, които се присъединяват към индустрията, ще доведе до по-ниски нива на текучество - намаляване на разходите на компанията. Освен това ще се гарантира, че отрасълът отговаря на нарастващото търсене на стоки и услуги.

Какви са обаче пречките за вас, ако сте по-възрастен шофьор? Някои предполагат, че възрастта се отразява на физическите и когнитивните способности, което оказва влияние върху способността за безопасно шофиране. Те са от жизненоважно значение за водачите на камиони, тъй като те се справят с дълги часове, физически изисквания и стресови ситуации.

FMCSA се е заела с тези проблеми. Според нормативната уредба по-възрастните шофьори трябва да преминават през чести медицински прегледи и оценки на шофирането. Неотдавна беше съобщено, че 90-годишен шофьор на камион от Шефилд продължава да кара камион, след като е получил чисто медицинско свидетелство. Мнозина твърдят, че по-възрастните шофьори носят десетилетия опит и знания - което предполага, че ако са здрави, не би трябвало да има пречка за наемането им на работа.

Как разнообразието може да реши проблема с настоящия недостиг на водачи?

През 2022 г. Службата по въпросите на ветераните предостави 100 000 GBP на благотворителната организация "Ветерани в логистиката". Благотворителната организация предлага на ветераните възможност да станат шофьори на тежкотоварни автомобили. Финансирането даде възможност на благотворителната организация да повиши значително годишното си обучение, да увеличи броя на служителите и да утрои наличното обучение. XPO, ASDA и Muller Milk & Ingredients са компании, които активно наемат ветерани на работа директно след обучението.

Освен това ASDA предостави 40 000 лири стерлинги, за да подпомогне по-нататъшното обучение. Подкрепата за благотворителни организации като "Ветерани в логистиката" създава по-разнообразна култура в областта на шофирането на камиони, като същевременно активно се бори с настоящия недостиг на шофьори.

Какво може да се направи, за да се привлече по-голямо разнообразие?

Наличието на разнообразна работна сила отваря компаниите към различни гледни точки и опит. Какво могат да направят компаниите, за да привлекат по-разнообразна работна сила?

  • Инвестирайте в обучение: Обучението за запознаване на служителите с теми като скрити предразсъдъци, приобщаване на работното място, превенция на дискриминацията и как да подкрепят разнообразната работна сила може да има положителен ефект.

  • Инвестирайте в приобщаващ процес на наемане: Анонимизирането на автобиографията на кандидата може да намали несъзнателните предразсъдъци.

  • Насърчаване на приобщаваща култура: Съобщете на потенциалните кандидати как решавате текущите проблеми, свързани с многообразието и приобщаването.

  • Обърнете се към слабо представените групи в тази индустрия.

Популяризирането и приемането на разнообразна култура при шофирането на камиони може да донесе значителни ползи за индустрията. Това не само ще допринесе за създаването на по-приобщаваща и приветлива работна среда, но и ще подпомогне продължаващия недостиг на шофьори. Фирмите за товарни превози са длъжни да приемат многообразието също толкова, колкото и шофьорите на камиони.

В коя държава има търсене на шофьори на камиони?

В доклад, публикуван през декември 2022 г., се посочва, че от 2020 г. до 2021 г. недостигът на шофьори в Европа е скочил с 42%. На първо място е Обединеното кралство, където свободните позиции за шофьори достигат 100 000. Мексико и Китай също заемат челни места в списъка, като недостигът в Мексико се е увеличил с 30 %, а в Китай - със зашеметяващите 140 %.

Ще имаме ли нужда от шофьори на камиони в бъдеще?

Въвеждането на самоуправляващите се камиони накара мнозина да предположат, че шофьорите на камиони нямат бъдеще. Това обаче далеч не е така.

  • Автономните камиони ще бъдат внедрявани постепенно в определени региони. Вероятността това да засегне повечето шофьори е малка.

  • Ако автономните камиони бъдат въведени в целия свят, все още ще са необходими шофьори. Търсенето на шофьори на камиони само ще се увеличава, тъй като има твърде много неща, които могат да се случат, ако в кабината няма шофьор.

Какви са стереотипите на шофьорите на камиони?

Знаем колко са важни шофьорите на камиони, но в очите на някои хора този бранш все още е свързан с негативни стереотипи - това представяне може да се дължи на погрешно представяне в медиите, а понякога и на няколко неопитни шофьори. Но какъв е този стереотипен образ? И защо той е погрешен?

  • Наднормено тегло - Някои спирки за камиони предлагат нездравословна бърза храна, което може да ви направи впечатление, че шофьорите на камиони консумират само нея. Това обаче със сигурност не е норма. Здравословното хранене по време на път може да бъде предизвикателство, но мнозина се придържат към добре балансирана диета и редовно правят физически упражнения. Вижте нашите съвети за здравословно хранене по време на път.

  • Лоши шофьори - стереотип, който не би могъл да е по-далеч от истината. Професионалните шофьори на камиони се отнасят изключително сериозно към безопасността. Те често спазват ограниченията на скоростта, са особено внимателни при лоши метеорологични условия и оставят достатъчно място между себе си и другите водачи.

  • Нецензурни думи - Всички сме ядосани на пътя и шофьорите на камиони не правят изключение. Въпреки това е несправедливо този стереотип да се отнася само за шофьорите на камиони.

  • Всички шофьори на камиони са мъже - мъжете са повече от жените в този бранш, но жените шофьори на камиони се увеличават.

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Across Europe, demand for professional lorry drivers has never been higher. In the UK, the Road Haulage Association estimates that in the next five years to keep supply chains running. And the situation is the same across most of Europe. According to I data, there were 426,000 unfilled driver positions across Europe in 2024. But this creates an opportunity. As , the haulage industry offers the prospect of steady work for school leavers considering alternatives to university and adults looking to retrain. Becoming a lorry driver is a pathway to secure earnings and a structured career.The question many ask is: how to become a lorry driver? The answer depends not just on training and licences, but on understanding what it means to join a profession that keeps Europe’s economy moving.One of the main attractions of a driving career is its accessibility. You don’t need a university degree or years of specialist training to start; a standard car licence (Category B) is all that’s required before working towards professional qualifications. The minimum age for training is 18 in both the UK and across the EU, which means school leavers can move directly from a car licence to professional HGV driver training. That said, many firms prefer international drivers to be at least 21, given the extra responsibility that comes with long-distance haulage.Medical fitness is also important. Every applicant has to pass a medical before they can hold an HGV licence. In the UK, this involves a range of tests, eyesight checks, blood pressure readings and screening for conditions such as epilepsy, heart disease or sleep apnoea.European nations apply the same EU-wide medical standards, with regular renewals ensuring drivers remain healthy throughout their careers.For many people considering the move into professional driving, a key concern is: how much do lorry drivers earn? The answer varies depending on location, experience and the type of work undertaken, but across Europe, the profession offers competitive pay compared to other entry-level jobs.● A new driver in the UK on around £27,000 a year. Those who move into long-haul work, especially on international routes, can see their pay rise towards £45,000 – sometimes more if they’re hauling specialist or hazardous loads. those handling specialist loads, hazardous goods or operating across borders. ● In , salaries tend to be lower than in the UK, typically around €36,600, although large logistics firms in major cities may offer more. ● has seen strong demand for drivers in recent years, but wages remain modest, averaging around 92,400 PLN (approximately €21,690).● sits at the lower end of the scale, with drivers generally earning 80,550 RON (€16,000), although international haulage contracts can significantly boost take-home pay.Of course, salary isn’t the whole story. Many companies offer overtime pay, meal allowances or bonuses for hitting delivery targets. And with demand for drivers showing no sign of slowing, the job also brings a level of security that few other entry-level careers can match.Before you can get behind the wheel of a lorry, you’ll need the right licence. In the UK, this means progressing beyond a standard car licence to what’s officially known as a Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) or Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) licence. The terms are often used interchangeably, but both cover the same categories of professional driving.Some people begin with a Category C1 licence, which covers medium-sized vehicles between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes – often used for smaller delivery trucks. However, most aspiring lorry drivers go straight to the Category C licence, sometimes called a Class 2 HGV licence. This allows you to drive rigid vehicles over 7.5 tonnes. For those who want to progress to articulated lorries – the larger vehicles commonly used on long-distance and international routes – the Category CE licence (Class 1) is required.Alongside these qualifications sits the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC), a legal requirement across both the UK and EU. This certificate involves a mix of initial training and periodic refreshers, designed to keep drivers up to date on safety, regulation and road skills.This system mirrors the EU-wide licensing framework. The main differences between countries lie in the training providers, the costs involved and, in some places, the availability of test slots.Securing your HGV licence is the first step into professional driving. In the UK, you can start the process once you hold a standard Category B car licence. From there, you apply for a provisional lorry licence, which allows you to begin training in large goods vehicles. The training itself combines theory and practical elements: classroom sessions on road safety and regulations, followed by supervised driving in heavy vehicles. Candidates must also complete modules for the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC), which ensures that drivers are equipped not just to operate vehicles safely but also to manage the day-to-day demands of haulage.One of the most common questions for anyone considering this career is how much lorry driver training costs. In the UK, prices vary depending on the provider, location and whether you’re training for a Category C or the more advanced Category CE licence. On average, new drivers can expect to spend between £2,000 and £3,500 to cover medical checks, provisional licence fees, theory tests, practical training, CPC modules and the final driving test. Some companies, particularly larger logistics firms, offer schemes to subsidise or fully fund training in exchange for a work commitment, making the route more accessible.Elsewhere in Europe, the numbers aren’t too different. In Spain, training generally costs between €2,000 and €3,000 for full training and certification. In Poland, the figure is lower, averaging €1,500 to €2,500. Romania has some of the lowest training costs in Europe, with many candidates paying around €1,000 to €1,800 to qualify, although entry-level wages tend to reflect this lower barrier to entry.The time it takes to qualify as a lorry driver depends on where you train, the type of licence you’re aiming for, and how quickly you can secure test dates. In the UK, most people complete their training and pass their tests within two to four months. Some intensive courses compress the process into a matter of weeks, though many drivers find that spacing out lessons helps them absorb the skills more effectively.In Spain and Poland, the process is similar, although longer waiting lists for exam slots can extend the timeline. In Poland, high demand for professional drivers has created bottlenecks at training centres, meaning some candidates wait several months before sitting their practical test. Romania has one of the fastest pathways, with training and testing often completed within eight to twelve weeks.And the learning doesn’t stop once you’ve got your licence. Every professional driver must complete 35 hours of CPC training every five years, keeping their skills up to date and making sure they’re ready for the latest regulations and safety standards.Once you’re qualified, the job comes with strict limits on how long you can spend behind the wheel. These limits are designed to protect both drivers and other road users by reducing fatigue.Across the UK and EU, the rules are the same. Drivers can spend a each day, which can be extended to ten hours twice a week. Weekly limits cap driving at 56 hours, with no more than 90 hours over two consecutive weeks. A driver must also take a break of at least 45 minutes after 4.5 hours of driving. They are also entitled to daily and weekly rest periods to recover before returning to work.These rules are closely monitored, with tachographs fitted in vehicles to record hours and ensure compliance. For those working long-distance routes, such as Spanish drivers covering the Iberian Peninsula or Polish hauliers moving goods across the EU’s eastern borders, these limits shape the rhythm of the job. They determine when and where drivers stop, making access to safe and secure rest areas a vital part of the working day. Becoming a lorry driver isn’t just about passing tests. It’s about stepping into a role that carries real responsibility, but also brings long-term opportunity. With the right licence, the right training and the determination to take on life on the road, it’s a career that can provide both stability and progression.At SNAP, we know what those journeys look like. That’s why we work with fleets and drivers across Europe to make them safer, simpler and more comfortable – from secure parking and better welfare facilities to smart digital tools that save time and stress. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been driving for years, we’re here to back you every mile of the way.Download the today to find trusted parking, facilities and services, wherever your route takes you.