There are currently 20,000 vacancies in the industry, but we’re going to need an incredible 10 times more than that to keep up with demand
There’s a lot of truckers here – but we need even more(Image: Getty Images)
Britain is facing a “critical shortage” of HGV drivers with 200,000 extra truckers needed by 2029. There are currently 20,000 vacancies in the industry, but 10 times more are required over the next four years.
More than half of lorry drivers on British roads are aged 50 or older, with many heading towards retirement, according to a study by job search site Adzuna.
It suggested low pay was putting off the next generation from getting behind the wheel – with the average HGV driver salary 13.9% below the national average.
Separate research by Pegasus Couriers found the UK also needs an additional 30,000 delivery van drivers to meet soaring demand for online shopping orders.
The number of vacancies for couriers hit more than 135,000 in April this year, said Adzuna.
Keith Hawes, from vehicle leasing firm National Vehicle Contracts, said skilled HGV drivers would be needed for years to come, despite advances in self-driving vehicle tech.
He told industry journal Food Manufacture: “The development of autonomous driving depends on all vehicles being able to communicate seamlessly with one another.
“When it comes to commercial transport, safety is absolutely critical. The idea of a 42-tonne lorry, complete with trailer and load, being driven autonomously on open roads, still feels far off.
“In my view, we’re unlikely to see this as a mainstream reality before 2050.”