Driving and logistics has always been one of the UK’s most important sectors. Every other industry, from healthcare to retail, relies on drivers to transport goods from A to B.  

However, in recent years, the driving sector has been in decline. There is a major shortage of skilled drivers, and companies have been working hard to find new workers.  

This means that temporary recruitment companies that provide drivers have been in high demand recently, helping to fill these vacancies with talented drivers and the professionals who help them reach their destination on time.  

 

What is the Driving Sector? 

The driving sector refers to all jobs that involve transporting people or goods as a profession. This can include: 

  • HGV/Lorry Driver 
  • Delivery Driver  
  • Workshop Operative/Driver 
  • Emergency Services Driver 
  • Forklift Driver 

There are also self-employed driver roles too: 

  • Taxi Driver  
  • Driving Instructor  
  • Overnight Dispatcher 

Self-employed drivers rarely need recruitment companies, temporary or otherwise, as they are running their own business, but we they are still an important part of the driving world.  

It’s a very varied industry, but with transferrable skills that many temporary drivers use to their advantage. And at the moment, they’re spoiled for choice when it comes to job opportunities.  

 

Why is the Driving Sector in Decline? 

Over the last few years, there have been fewer skilled drivers taking jobs. This is a knock-on effect of the pandemic, where training was restricted. This coupled with a higher demand than ever for drivers, as online shopping and delivery services become more popular, means that logistics and other companies are struggling to fill vacant roles.  

The traditional recruitment method is expensive and time consuming. By the time you’ve posted the positions, advertised them online, and started taking applications, you could be months without the driver(s) you need. And when there is a lack of suitable candidates, these job advertisements can gather dust as you wait for the right workers to apply.  

This restricts growth too. Without new drivers, a company can’t expand its fleet. In such a competitive industry, this can cause them to fall behind their biggest rivals, even if there is more work available. It also puts more pressure on existing drivers, which can be tough in an industry where long, unconventional hours, are a mainstay.  

 

The Importance of Temporary Recruitment for the Driving Sector 

To fill driving roles quickly, many business are turning to temporary recruitment companies for help.  

They have pools of hundreds of drivers, with a variety of skills and experience but all keen to get to work. If you have a permanent role to fill, but the right candidate hasn’t come along yet, or you’re still training a replacement, a temporary driver can take the pressure off the rest of your team and help keep everything running smoothly.  

Temporary workers can also fill a brief vacancy too, covering for scenarios like:  

  • Holidays 
  • Illness/Injury 
  • Maternity/Paternity Leave  
  • Retirement  

Seasonal peaks are common too. For example, around Christmas, retailers need a lot more delivery drivers to keep up with the increased demand. Temporary drivers help them thrive during the busier months.  

Drivers have to work very long hours, especially long-distance lorry drivers. The maximum amount of time drivers can be on the road is set in stone by legislation – 9 hours daily or 10 hours twice a week with required breaks. This means that overtime isn’t an option for the drivers, so when there is higher demand, the only solution is to bring in more workers.  

If you need a driver with a specific skill set or authorisation, such as for transporting hazardous goods, operating a forklift, or driving an emergency vehicle, you can find a temporary worker fit for the task. If these jobs are few and far between, this is the most cost-effective solution.  

Speaking of cost-effective, using temporary drivers is generally more affordable than permanent hires. You either pay hourly or a set rate for their services, making it easier to calculate costs and keep your workforce small during seasonal lulls.  

 

The Benefits for Temporary Recruitment for Drivers 

Naturally, temporary drivers have their own benefits too. This includes: 

  • Seasonal Working 
  • Flexible Hours  
  • Flexible Workload  
  • Short-term Commitment (but with the option of permanent role offers later)  
  • Gaining Diverse Experience 

Flexibility is the core advantage of temporary work in general, especially for drivers. If you only want to work for certain periods, or want to ensure you’ll have specific time off, temporary work is ideal.  

There is a lack of stability that can deter some drivers, but the positives outweigh the negatives. If you work with a temporary recruitment agency, you’ll have access to a wide range of jobs, at any time that suits you. This gives you much more control over the work you do, and when, without missing out on valuable opportunities.  

 

Other Temporary Positions within the Driving Sector 

Of course, there are roles within the logistics and driving industries other than the drivers themselves. Administration, IT support, and communications can all be handled by talented temporary workers.  

Like with drivers, bringing in temp staff when your services are in high demand helps you to maximise output and increase your bottom line.  

 

Recruitment Finance for Temporary Recruitment Agencies 

If your recruitment company specialises in the driving sector, you need to ensure all your workers are paid on time, every time. The work they do is vital to keep the country running; that’s a lot of pressure to handle. If they also have to worry about their next payday, it can reflect badly on your business.  

 With our recruitment finance service, your invoicing, payroll funding, recruitment funding, and credit control are all handled under the same roof. Not only does this improve communication; you’ll also have a dedicated team handling all the necessary admin.  

We provide a dedicated payroll manager and credit controller for all of our clients. They ensure all your invoices are correct, and your workers are always paid on time. As an added bonus, you’ll get regular updates that keep you in the loop.  

Temporary recruitment is as competitive as the driving industry itself. To stay ahead of your competitors, and ensure the best candidates choose you, you need to give yourself an edge. With a reliable recruitment finance provider backing you up, success is guaranteed.