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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понеделник 22 септември 2025 • Новини и актуализации

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This change could encourage cleaner fleets and offer fairer pricing for logistics operators who invest in low-emission vehicles.For drivers, this means fewer delays, clearer real-time information, and more responsive road conditions. For operators, it’s a chance to futureproof fleet planning, route management and sustainability strategies.For fleets and drivers, Romania’s modernisation brings both benefits and trade‑offs. Perhaps most importantly, it’s likely to result in improved network efficiency. With smoother routes and faster corridors, the investments are likely to reduce travel times and idling. Dangerous single-lane national roads will gradually be replaced by safer, faster highways. This will increase productivity and also reduce the time drivers spend behind the wheel. However, it’s not all positive. Ongoing works on motorways like A7 and A8 may cause delays and route changes while the works are undertaken. It could also mean higher freight volumes (especially at Constanța and border crossings), which may strain existing infrastructure.“Right now, construction zones like DN2 and parts of the A0 Bucharest Ring Road are causing detours and bottlenecks,” Ularu explains. “Trucks are losing hours on routes that should take minutes – and that impacts everything from fuel budgets to delivery reliability.”In addition, new corridors, tighter safety rules, and shifting road-use charges require greater compliance attention.Despite infrastructure gains, secure rest parking and welfare facilities remain patchy in some freight corridors, especially near border areas and major hubs. Construction zones often lack formal lay-by zones, leaving drivers exposed and with nowhere to rest.“We’re still seeing dangerous stopovers and overcrowded lay-bys on key freight routes,” says Eduard. “Modern highways will bring dedicated service and rest areas every 30–50 kilometres, complete with fuel stations, shops, and food courts. For drivers, this means safer places to park, with proper lighting, CCTV surveillance and secure rest zones that reduce the risk of theft. Sanitary facilities such as showers and clean toilets – a rarity on national roads – will finally become the norm.”SNAP is addressing this gap through its interactive parking map across Romania. Drivers can easily locate trusted, secure truck parking, book spots in advance where available, and plan safer routes via the SNAP map.Planning a journey through Romania? Use the SNAP map to find secure, driver‑friendly parking along key freight routes.This infrastructure modernisation process also plays a key role in enabling greener logistics. With a better flow of traffic, there will be lower levels of emissions caused by idle vehicles and stop-start driving.There will also be transport corridor upgrades to support emerging EV and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Romania’s infrastructure investment marks a pivotal change for freight and mobility across Southeastern Europe. For fleets, this translates into faster corridors, deeper logistics capacity, and higher volumes of trade but also closer scrutiny of welfare, compliance and resilience.As a forward-thinking industry leader, SNAP advocates for well-informed operations, flexible route planning, and driver-focused tools that support both safety and efficiency. Romania is not only modernising – it's reshaping how goods move across the region.“This isn’t just about roads – it’s about resilience, sustainability and building a smarter freight future across Europe. Romania is right at the heart of that shift,” Eduard states.

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сряда 03 септември 2025 • Новини и актуализации

ПРЕДСТАВЛЯВА ЛИ ЛОГИСТИКАТА НОВА АЛТЕРНАТИВА НА ПО-НАТАТЪШНОТО ОБРАЗОВАНИЕ ЗА НАПУСКАЩИТЕ УЧИЛИЩЕ?

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For years, the conventional wisdom has been that school leavers should continue into further education. Whether that meant college, university or vocational training, the message was the same: study first, then work. But that narrative is beginning to shift. Faced with rising tuition fees, increasing debt and uncertainty about the value of a degree, many young people are re-evaluating their choices.At the same time, the logistics industry is crying out for new talent. It offers immediate earnings, structured development and long-term career prospects – all without the cost of higher education. The question is no longer whether logistics could be a stopgap option for school leavers but whether it represents a genuine alternative to university.The need for fresh entrants to logistics is pressing. (RHA) has warned that the UK must recruit 200,000 new lorry drivers in the next five years – the equivalent of 40,000 drivers annually – to keep supply chains moving and prevent a repeat of the shortages experienced in 2021.Zooming out to the European level, the challenge is even starker. In 2023, Europe faced a – a figure forecast to climb to 745,000 by 2028 if left unaddressed. The average driver is 47 years old, with nearly 30% aged over 55, underscoring an approaching retirement wave. Yet only 5% of drivers are under 25. Without younger entrants, the industry risks grinding to a halt.This is not simply about filling cabs. It’s about safeguarding the smooth functioning of economies. The shortage of drivers has ripple effects that touch everything from supermarket shelves to construction projects. In : “If we’re to future-proof the industry for the long term, we need to recruit, train and retain tens of thousands of drivers annually to meet demand. With an ageing workforce, we also need to attract more young people into the industry. To get there, we must prioritise flexible, funded training options.”Meanwhile, data shows that in June 2025, youth unemployment across the EU was 14.7%, with 2.857 million young people out of work, which has remained steady month-on-month. These figures reveal a significant opportunity gap for school leavers. At a time when many face bleak prospects, logistics presents a path of clarity, training, and financial independence.The perception of logistics as a last-resort job is giving way to recognition of its tangible benefits. A recent highlights factors such as job security, reliable pay, flexible working patterns and the chance to travel. For many, it is precisely this combination of benefits that makes logistics stand out. In addition, apprenticeships and graduate-style schemes allow young recruits to build qualifications while gaining hands-on experience. As Matthew Bellamy, Managing Director at SNAP comments: “For school leavers, logistics isn’t just an alternative. It’s a fast track to a skilled, future-ready career. You begin building experience and independence straightaway, without the costs or delays of university.”While driving is the most visible role, logistics encompasses far more. School leavers can move into warehousing, planning, technology, or customer service, before progressing into leadership. The digitalisation of logistics has also created demand for new skills – data analysis, route optimisation, and sustainability management – that appeal to a generation of digital natives.SNAP, for example, works with fleets across Europe to provide digital tools that support drivers’ wellbeing, help them find safe parking, and streamline daily operations. These investments are not just about efficiency – they are about making logistics a credible and attractive career path.“The industry needs fresh faces with digital skills, resilience and a modern outlook,” Bellamy continues. “School leavers bring exactly that – and attracting more women will help us adapt even faster.”Diversity is one of the greatest untapped opportunities in logistics. According to , women account for just 23% of employees in transport and storage across Europe and Central Asia. The European data is even more concerning when it comes to drivers specifically: .Encouraging more young women into logistics careers – whether as drivers, planners, or managers – is essential. It not only broadens the talent pool but also changes the culture of the industry, making it more representative and resilient. Highlighting female role models, creating inclusive training environments, and improving welfare facilities are practical steps that can make logistics more appealing to all.Too often, it is portrayed as a male-dominated and physically demanding industry. And while those stereotypes may once have held some truth, they are increasingly outdated. Today’s logistics sector relies as much on technology and teamwork as it does on physical labour.For logistics to compete with further education, the industry must deliver on three fronts:● Training pathways – offering apprenticeships, certifications and mentorship to give recruits a sense of progression.● Welfare and facilities – ensuring that drivers, particularly younger and more diverse entrants, have access to safe parking, clean rest stops and supportive environments.● Career storytelling – showcasing the variety of roles and long-term potential within the sector.For operators, the business case is clear. already report that they cannot expand because of driver shortages. Nearly half cite falling productivity, and 39% say revenues are declining. Without change, shortages will not just limit growth – they will erode the bottom line.The debate over further education versus work will never be one-size-fits-all. Some young people will continue to thrive in universities and colleges. But logistics is a viable, forward-looking option.For school leavers, it means immediate pay, independence and scope for progression. For the industry, it means tapping into a pool of talent that is urgently needed. For society, it means strengthening the resilience of an essential sector.The challenge now lies with the industry to match its demand with vision: to provide training, welfare, and opportunities that rival those offered by further education. If it succeeds, logistics will not just be an alternative to university – it will be an advantage.