Consequently, it is estimated that there is a current shortage of around 45,000 LGV drivers in the UK. This shortage is expected to reach up to 150,000 drivers by 2020. It has also been reported that 25% fewer people acquired new driver licenses in 2013 as compared to the year 2008.
While the demand for LGV drivers was always there, the economic recession meant that people did not feel the consequences of lack of fresh recruits in the industry. However, the shortage has finally caught up with the industry.
This shortage for qualified LGV drivers is so acute that it is estimated that there are nine vacancies for a lorry driver in Northamptonshire for every single qualified candidate. This problem is spread all across the country.
The logistics operators estimate that the average age of a current LGV driver in UK is 53 which is much higher than the national average. In simple terms, many people are going to retire in the coming few years whereas there are fewer young people to replace them.
Due to this shortage of drivers, it is also expected that the wages for the qualified lorry drivers may rise as the economy cannot function without lorry drivers taking goods from the factories and ports to the store shelves.
Another advantage of training as a LGV driver is that as the economy grows, there will be need for more lorry drivers as people will consume more goods that need to be supplied to the stores. Overall, career as a LGV driver seems full of promises and good wages.
The logistics sector is currently the fourth biggest employer in the UK. The economy cannot function without experienced lorry drivers and they are the driving force of the economy.