Professional drivers (BKF) are of paramount importance for the economy and comprehensive supply of our society. In Europe, the number of BKF has been steadily decreasing for years, and the shortage of qualified drivers is growing. In Germany, for example, about 67,000 drivers leave the profession each year, a number that currently cannot be offset by approximately 27,000 new BKF. This results in an annual deficit of about 40,000 drivers, making it increasingly difficult for transport companies to find suitable personnel. Despite the increasing shortage of skilled workers, January offers a real opportunity for transport companies. According to a study by Lkw-Fahrer-gesucht.com, January is the best month to find new personnel. The following graph shows the ratio of unemployed professional drivers compared to reported job vacancies for the period from 2011 to 2019 in Germany.

In September 2018, there were an average of 63 unemployed drivers for every 100 reported vacant professional driver positions. In January 2019, however, there were 116 unemployed drivers per 100 vacant positions. The chance to acquire qualified driving personnel is almost double in January compared to September. These are the researched labor market figures in the field of professional drivers, commissioned by the job portal LKW-FAHRER-gesucht.com.

Communicate open positions

Another insight from the study is that many open positions are not advertised and reported to the Federal Employment Agency. Entrepreneurs should take advantage of the motivation and positive attitude of drivers in January and advertise vacant positions. So if you are currently looking for professional drivers, use the beginning of the year to advertise open positions and actively search for qualified personnel.