Their enormous role for the entire economy, from export indicators to GDP size, is an undeniable fact. The professional driver – because that is the profession in question – is becoming a more and more sought-after employee profile by many transport companies with each passing month. One of the initiatives aimed at improving this situation and fighting stereotypes is the Young Best Driver competition, which is partnered by, among others, the 4th International Trade Fair for Transport and Logistics TransPoland.
No drivers – no transport
There has been no shortage of heated discussions regarding professional drivers recently. On one hand, disputes surrounding the German MiLOG issue are still ongoing. On the other hand, we already have France, which, following in the footsteps of its eastern neighbor, has also started enforcing minimum wages for foreign drivers. Both issues have already reached the highest levels, including the European Commission, while a much bigger problem turns out to be the growing deficit of professional drivers themselves on the European labor market. In such a competitive sector as transport, every fully “driven” working day is worth its weight in gold. The problem arises when there is no one to drive, despite orders waiting to be fulfilled. There are fewer and fewer drivers, and worst of all, young people are not flocking to the profession. Even very attractive remuneration at the level of 6-8 thousand PLN per month for drivers with a C+E category license does not help here.
Why don’t young people want to drive?
There are many reasons: the demographic decline, the lack of compulsory military service (a whole host of current drivers received their qualifications while in the army), the time-consuming and expensive process of obtaining licenses, different life priorities of today’s young generation, and finally, the low attractiveness of the profession itself, resulting largely from stereotypes associated with the “TIR” driver. It is impossible to overcome demographics, just as we have little influence on the costs of obtaining a driving license or initial qualification (although this is not such a big problem, because 90 percent of labor offices finance these qualifications). What we can influence is increasing the attractiveness of the profession and breaking stereotypes regarding professional drivers. The reality is that today’s chauffeur drives a modern, comfortable vehicle, does not drive 20 hours a day to earn good money, and practically every day on the road has the opportunity to take care of their own physical fitness and personal hygiene.
– We attach great importance to issues related to employees in the TSL industry, which is why this year, in addition to the Friendly TSL Employer Plebiscite we launched last year, we are joining as a partner in the Young Best Driver competition – promoting the profession of a driver, which is so important for the entire industry – points out Paweł Konowałek, manager of the International Trade Fair for Transport and Logistics TransPoland.
Young Best Driver and TransPoland
The initiative involves an attractive competition for young (under 26) professional drivers. The event is intended to be spectacular enough to interest not only professionals but also a wider audience. Attractions awaiting visitors will include: “burning rubber” with a semi-trailer, drifting, and time trials. Together with partners – ESA Trucks Polska, DKV Euro Service, Transics, TLP, Easy Logistics, Solution, Transport Manager, and the competition jurors — Mariusz Pudzianowski and Maciej Wisławski, the best young professional driver will be selected, who will show all of Poland what they can do and what their profession is really like.
In addition to the spectacular competition on the track, the event organizer, in cooperation with TransPoland, is preparing a series of additional activities related to current labor market issues and the profession of a professional driver. A special discussion panel with experts is planned, among other things, as well as a series of attractions for visitors, which will be announced soon.
– On one hand, we want to promote the profession of a professional driver among the young generation and build a new image of the “TIR” driver, and on the other hand, we want to focus on a substantive and long-term discussion about the future of the driver’s profession, in which we will be supported by partners and experts, including those from TransPoland – admits Paweł Stachowski, the originator of the Young Best Driver competition.
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