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Freight forwarders play a key role as they are responsible for ensuring the transport of goods and products necessary to maintain the proper functioning of the various supply chains. This process in turn is essential to the country’s economy, as it ensures the supply of companies and their ability to generate employment and income. Despite its importance, this profession seems to be in danger of extinction and this situation does not seem to generate enough alarm among the relevant authorities.<\/p>\n
Did you know that only 6% of drivers working in the European road haulage sector are young people?<\/strong><\/p>\n This figure is very alarming and it is important that immediate action is taken to prevent the situation from getting even worse.<\/p>\n A similar situation exists in Spain, where 70% of hauliers are over 50 years old. The gap between drivers retiring and new drivers entering the profession continues to widen and is expected to triple across Europe. Currently, it is estimated that half a million drivers need to be recruited, and the vacancy rate for hauliers is expected to rise to over 60% by 2026.<\/p>\n The problem of the lack of truck drivers, which has now become an emergency, is starting to become a concern for the 27 member states of the European Union, thanks to industry organisations that have drawn attention to it. In response, the European Commission has proposed to bring forward the minimum age for obtaining a C licence for heavy goods vehicles to 17, allowing young people to drive under supervision until the age of 18. While this measure could help in the current driver shortage crisis, it will not be enough to solve the problem on its own. Moreover, in many EU countries it is required to be over 21 to drive a lorry, and in some cases even over 24.<\/p>\n What is the qualification required to become a trailer driver?<\/strong><\/p>\n The preparation process usually takes about a year, and involves obtaining a B driving licence, passing the 280-hour Certificate of Professional Aptitude (CAP), and passing the C driving licence for rigid heavy goods vehicles, followed by the C+E for trailers. The last part of this training, which includes the CAP and the lorry licences, can cost between 4,000 and 6,000 euros, i.e. about the same as studying for a degree at a public university.<\/p>\n There are two alternatives: to study for the Intermediate Level of Driving of Road Transport Vehicles (grade D of Vocational Training) or to obtain the Certificate of Professionalism (grade C of Vocational Training).<\/p>\n For the first alternative, in Spain, there are only a dozen or so vocational training centres that offer the 2,000 hours of training (two school years) to obtain the qualification of Technician in Driving Road Transport Vehicles, but this qualification does not automatically entitle you to drive a lorry, as you need to obtain the corresponding driving licences from the DGT (DGT). For the second option, the candidate must have the truck driving licences before starting the preparation of the Certificate of Professionalism (approximately 400 hours), which also requires passing the CAP exam.<\/p>\n However, in the transport sector, it is not enough to have completed a vocational training course to be able to enter the labour market directly. It is necessary to acquire complementary training and to obtain the necessary driving licences to be able to work as a driver of road transport vehicles.<\/p>\n\n
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