What is your role in the industry? What does your organisation do?
Driver Hire is the UK’s largest specialist logistics recruiter. We have over 100 offices nationwide, from the North of Scotland to Cornwall and everywhere in between.
We recently celebrated 40 years in business and believe over that time we’ve developed a reputation for outstanding customer service and the highest standards of compliance. This is backed up by the results from the surveys we run each year with customers and candidates. In December 2023, 97% of customers rated our customer service as Good or Excellent (410 responses) and 95% of candidates said they were proud to work for Driver Hire (1534 responses). Looking after candidates is important to us – when the people we supply are happy they will do a great job for our customers.
We also have a thriving training division, delivering Driver CPC training, license acquisition and upgrades, and courses for managers too. Plus, we offer license checking services.
So, what is Driver Hire’s role in the industry? We believe we are here to help transport operators keep the wheels turning – ensuring that they have the quality people they need, wherever and whenever they need them.
We help to raise standards in the industry and by allowing customers to build flexibility into their staffing arrangements, they run more efficiently and profitably. For candidates, our role is to help them gain the qualifications they need to build a successful career in logistics, and to help them find rewarding work when they need it.
Why are you and / or your organisation getting involved in National Lorry Week 2024?
We’re a long-term supporter of National Lorry Week and we’re delighted to be back on board in 2024. Driver Hire is very proud to be part of this industry, supporting road transport operators, including a very large number of RHA members. We feel that National Lorry Week is a great way to celebrate everything that is great about logistics. In turn, we hope that will make more people want to join our industry.
Why is it important to celebrate the road transport industry?
The general public does have an awareness of how important our industry is in their everyday lives. But people are surprised when they see figures – such as those released by the RHA during National Lorry Week – showing just how essential the lorry is. It’s a fact that without the road transport industry, things would literally grind to a halt.
So we’re happy to come together with others around the industry to celebrate and to say thank you to all the people who work so hard day and night, all year round. We also need to attract the next generation. This is a fast-moving, dynamic sector full of opportunities and we want talented people to be part of it.
Are there any misconceptions about road transport that you would like to put right?
I think some people do still have an old-fashioned view of the industry, whether that’s about the vehicles, the technology or even the people. The reality is that our industry is incredibly forward-looking. Trucks are cleaner than ever, some with technologies that have only just made it through to the most expensive cars. The efficiency of most transport operations is phenomenal – our ‘just in time’ world would not function if people in road transport were not working incredibly effectively. Some of the planning and tracking systems available are amazing.
As a recruiter, I’d like to highlight the brilliant career opportunities in this sector. You don’t have to be a driver, although I do believe that is a great career choice. Whether you’re in IT, project management, finance, HR, compliance, engineering, marketing – the list goes on. The options are really broad and it is such a rewarding sector to be a part of.
It’s true that we still have some way to go in terms of diversity and attracting younger people into the sector, but there has been real progress in recent years and I am hopeful this continues and accelerates.
What issues must we raise awareness about in road transport and why are they important?
Road transport is a great sector to work in, but there are still issues. People need to treat drivers and other people working in the operation with the level of respect they deserve. Professional drivers are highly trained, talented people who take on a lot of responsibility every time they get behind the wheel. Sometimes the conditions they work in – and rest – are not acceptable. The RHA continues to do good work in this area, which we certainly support.
On the 10th anniversary of National Lorry Week, what excites you about the future of road transport?
The future looks bright for road transport. As an industry it never stands still – almost by definition! – and that’s what makes it exciting. Every day brings fresh opportunities and challenges. Driver Hire is a people business and when you’re dealing with people, there’s always something new. The same is true of the technologies and operational innovations we see coming through every day. No one can say exactly what the industry will look like come the 20th National Lorry Week, but it will be fresh, exciting and still full of brilliant people.