In the first nine months of 2017 over 3600 people started three years of training for truck drivers in Germany – according to the data of the Federal Institute for Vocational Training (BIBB). That is nearly 12 percent more than in 2016. A larger number of participants, however, does not solve the problem of staff shortages in transport. Currently our western neighbours have a shortage of about 45 000 qualified drivers.
The Germans realize that the situation is becoming serious. The experts are warning that the lack of drivers may disrupt the development of many companies or i.e. delay the delivery of goods to shops.
The German employment offices are trying at all costs to encourage future drivers. One of the methods are the so-called training vouchers. They enable free participation in the courses which are financed by the state. This proposal is addressed primarily to the unemployed.
The offices and employment agencies are also carrying out activity in social media. There are created websites with the advice what requirements must be met to become a driver, what documents should be presented or how to prepare for an interview. Many of these guides is placed in the form of videos that explain step by step how to become a professional driver.
The occupation of a driver in Germany among the worst paid jobs
The German Association of Freight Forwarders (DSLV) is alarming that in Germany alone there is a shortage of 45 000 professional drivers. The situation is going to worsen, since two thirds of the currently working drivers are older than 45 and young people are not willing to take this job – the experts are warning.
According to the consulting firm Compensation Partners, which analyses the German data on salaries, in terms of remuneration the occupation of a driver is among 20 the worst jobs in Germany. On average a truck driver earns 27 703 EUR gross per year (118 000 PLN).
For comparison, the average salary of the driver’s wit driving license C+E in the international transport, employed by the company in Poland, amounts to 7300 PLN gross per month. Thus the Polish driver earns 87 600 PLN per year, i.e. over 30 000 PLN less than the German driver.