Youngsters are the answer for UK’s shortage of truckers

Youngsters, some as young as 10, could provide a long-term solution to the UK’s lack of lorry drivers which estimates put at more than 40,000 vacancies.

Indeed, industry-leading bodies, such as the Freight Transport Association and Road Haulage Association, are highlighting the skills shortage in the logistics industry as more people leave the profession than joint it.

• What the truck…there’s not enough lorry drivers for the UK
• Call of the cab…motorists can taste how to handle these 480 bhp beasts
• Even youngsters as young as 10 can get behind the wheel of an HGV with a truck driving experience

The scarcity is being caused by not enough new entrants replacing an ageing truck driving workforce who are retiring.

However, we believe that an alternative approach to tackling the deepening crisis is to provide youngsters with a ‘taster’ opportunity by booking a truck driving experience.

Dan Jones, operations manager at Trackdays, said: “Going on a truck driving experience could be the answer to relieve the chronic shortage of lorry drivers in the UK as it gives drivers a taste of what it’s like to handle a 480 bhp beast.

“Even more so, it could ignite a passion for trucking driving in a youngster who is given the opportunity to climb into the cab.

“We have children as young as 10-years-old getting behind the wheel of an HGV, alongside an HGV instructor, and loving every second of it as they get to grips with 16 gears around a specially designed course!”

Adults can also book a truck driving experience and see if they have a natural talent for manoeuvring a giant lorry, possibly with an eye on a future career change.

For more information about booking a junior truck driving thrill, which starts from just £49, and other truck driving experiences, visit our truck driving experience section.