Susie Jones
Notícias e actualizações • 2 min ler

Os condutores de veículos pesados contestam a expressão "falta de condutores"

Criado: 15/08/2024

Atualizado: 16/08/2024

Em 11 de abril de 2024, o [DfT] (https://www.fleetpoint.org/fleet-management-2/driver-shortage/consultation-opened-of-how-to-address-the-driver-shortage-for-hgv-and-coach/) abriu uma consulta sobre medidas destinadas a atenuar a escassez de condutores. Pretendem apresentar propostas para permitir que uma pessoa efectue os seus exames teóricos e de manobras fora de estrada antes de lhe ser concedida uma habilitação provisória de condutor de veículos pesados.

Desde a Covid-19 e o Brexit, o sector tem assistido a uma diminuição do número de condutores de veículos pesados de mercadorias. A pandemia atrasou 30 000 os testes para novos condutores, e o Brexit afectou duramente as empresas de frotas - com muitos condutores de camiões europeus a deixarem o Reino Unido.

Um relatório de 2023 da SNAP sugere que o sector poderá atingir um "[ponto de viragem] (https://snapacc.com/tipping-point/)" nos próximos 10-15 anos. Com a rápida evolução do sector, as encomendas em linha são uma das exigências que mais crescem - quando combinadas com o envelhecimento da força de trabalho, as necessidades do sector ultrapassarão a escassez de condutores qualificados.

O que pensam os condutores de camiões?

Nas [redes sociais] (https://www.facebook.com/snapaccount?locale=en_GB), a SNAP pediu aos condutores que expressassem as suas opiniões relativamente à proposta apresentada pelo DfT. Muitos motoristas não comentaram o esquema, no entanto, 72,5% contestaram o termo "escassez de motoristas", rotulando-o de alarmismo.

Em vez disso, afirmaram que os seguintes factores estavam a levar os condutores experientes a abandonar o sector e, em conjunto, a dissuadir novos candidatos:

Salários

Dos 72,5%, 28% sugeriram que os baixos salários eram um fator dissuasor. Os condutores nas páginas das redes sociais da SNAP sugeriram que poderiam ganhar mais em diferentes profissões:

Tenho uma carta de condução de veículos pesados, mas não tenho vontade de a utilizar. Atualmente, ganho mais por hora como instrutor de condução. Não se trata de uma falta de condutores. "

*"Paguem mais dinheiro aos motoristas e dêem-lhes melhores instalações.

Tem havido equívocos em relação aos salários dos condutores de veículos pesados de mercadorias no Reino Unido - com a opinião de que os condutores de camiões ganham mais do que o trabalhador médio. De acordo com a [National Careers] (https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/large-goods-vehicle-driver), o salário médio de um motorista de camiões no Reino Unido é de £22.000 a £40.000, sendo que os motoristas experientes ganham o topo da tabela.

Instalações

As instalações também foram alvo de escrutínio por parte de muitos - 20% culparam os maus padrões por afastarem os condutores qualificados. O nível das instalações nas paragens de camiões em todo o Reino Unido tem sido alvo de grande escrutínio por parte dos profissionais do sector, com muitos a afirmarem que não valem o dinheiro.

O DfT tomou medidas significativas com os seus £6 milhões [HGV Parking and Driver Welfare grant scheme] (https://www.smmt.co.uk/2024/05/first-class-facilities-truckstops-to-be-upgraded-with-16-5m-funding/#:~:text=Under%20the%20plans%2C%2038%20truckstops,significantly%20upgrade%20facilities%20for%20drivers.) - apoiado por mais 10,5 milhões de libras do sector. O programa investirá em 38 paragens de camiões em toda a Inglaterra para melhorar as instalações para os condutores, incluindo novos chuveiros e restaurantes, bem como uma melhor segurança.

Para além da melhoria das instalações, espera-se que o projeto crie cerca de 430 novos lugares de estacionamento para veículos pesados, o que permitirá reduzir o número de lugares de estacionamento em parques de estacionamento e a lotação dos locais ao início da noite.

Falta de trabalho

De igual modo, 20% dos condutores explicaram que tinham uma carta de condução mas não conseguiam encontrar trabalho. De acordo com o [Office for National Statistics (ONS)] (https://backlinelogistics.co.uk/the-9-best-and-worst-locations-to-be-an-hgv-driver/), existem mais de 183.000 empregos de condutor de veículos pesados no Reino Unido. Apesar disso, cada região tem oportunidades de emprego diferentes, o que resulta numa procura desigual em todo o Reino Unido. Vários condutores partilharam as suas experiências de luta para conseguir trabalho:

*Tenho um curso de classe 1 há sete meses e não consigo arranjar emprego. Gostava de saber onde é que está a escassez.

*"Que falta? Não há muito trabalho para arranjar."

Certificado de Aptidão Profissional para Motorista

10% dos inquiridos que não concordaram nem discordaram da expressão "escassez de condutores" afirmaram que o [Certificado de Aptidão Profissional para Motorista (CPC)] (https://www.gov.uk/driver-cpc-training/getting-your-driver-cpc-card) desempenhou um papel fundamental na redução do número de condutores de veículos pesados.

Introduzido em 2009, o CAP tem como objetivo melhorar a segurança rodoviária, o profissionalismo e a consciência ambiental, além de garantir que os condutores estão a par de todos os requisitos de saúde, segurança e legais. Os resultados de uma consulta relativa a uma revisão da política do CAP revelaram que 47% dos condutores de veículos pesados afirmaram que este era ineficaz ou muito ineficaz. Nas redes sociais da SNAP, um condutor comentou

"Acabem com o CPC e eu faço turnos. Não estou a pagar para fazer 35 horas, aprendendo a fazer o que já passei anos a fazer todos os dias. "

O Governo delineou uma série de alterações ao CAP para aumentar a flexibilidade aquando da renovação e recuperação da qualificação. Entre as alterações à duração dos cursos, o Governo irá desenvolver mais conteúdos de base para os cursos, em conjunto com a Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.

Factores externos, como o Brexit e a COVID-19, combinados com questões relacionadas com a indústria, tiveram um impacto significativo nas taxas de emprego no sector dos transportes. Num ambiente em constante evolução, o sector deve continuar a fazer alterações sempre que necessário para atrair e reter mais condutores.

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sexta-feira 08 novembro 2024 • Notícias e actualizações

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sexta-feira 01 novembro 2024 • Notícias e actualizações

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sexta-feira 25 outubro 2024 • Notícias e actualizações

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