The Transport Select Committee is conducting an inquiry into skills and workforce planning in the road haulage sector.
The objective of the inquiry is to investigate what action government has taken to address industry concerns about a lack of skilled drivers in the road haulage sector, and assess how effective the Government’s response has been. Some of its findings could also be applicable to the coach and bus industry, which is also seeing a driver shortage and shares some of the freight industry’s regulations.
The committee said that policy relating to workforce planning and skills falls under the remit of several government departments. It said it recognised the importance of other departments’ policies on the topic, but was particularly interested to receive evidence on several points which relate directly to Department for Transport policy.
These points are:
- The extent to which statistics reflect the experience of road haulage companies regarding the shortage of a skilled workforce in the road haulage sector;
- The role of Government in supporting recruitment, and encouraging a diverse workforce, for the road haulage industry;
- The role of the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) qualification in improving the professionalism and safety of drivers from the UK and abroad on UK roads;
- Aspects of current government policy which may deter new entrants to the workforce e.g. proposals to ban daytime deliveries in cities; and
- The quality of daytime and overnight facilities for road freight drivers.
The committee is asking for written submissions to be submitted by Monday, October 19, 2015, which should be sent via the Transport Committee inquiry page.
