To attract and retain these new professionals, it is essential that the profession is attractive, access is affordable and working conditions are adequate. This balance, however, is a difficult one. Companies must strive to make transport sustainable and profitable, which involves overcoming significant challenges.

The road freight transport sector faces an unprecedented challenge: the ageing of its workforce. According to a recent report by the Association of Transporters of Guipúzcoa (Guitrans), the average age of professional truck drivers in the region has reached 51.8 years. This trend is not exclusive to Guipúzcoa, but affects the whole world. Even more worrying, it is estimated that seven out of ten active professional drivers in the region will retire in the next ten years, which poses an alarming scenario for the road freight transport industry.

The Progressive Deterioration of the Sector:

The ageing of the professional driving workforce is not a new problem, but its current magnitude is alarming. As the years go by, the situation becomes unsustainable, and the measures taken so far have not managed to reverse it. The lack of young professionals willing to enter the sector has become a real threat to the continuity of this vital industry.

The Urgency of Attracting New Talent:

The estimate that seven out of ten professional drivers will retire in less than a decade underlines the urgent need to take immediate action to attract new talent to the sector. This includes young people looking for work, women who wish to enter a historically male-dominated field, and drivers from third countries who can help revitalise the industry.

The Challenges to Overcome:

Improving Working Conditions:

Working conditions for professional drivers have not improved significantly, partly due to the loss of profit margins in the sector. Companies have been forced to adjust their rates to cope with rising operating costs and fierce competition, often resulting in less attractive salaries. In addition, the ban on drivers' involvement in loading and unloading goods is just one of the many challenges that need to be addressed to make the profession more attractive.

Conclusions:

The ageing of professional truck drivers represents a critical challenge for the road freight transport sector. A lack of new talent and unsatisfactory working conditions pose a significant threat to the continuity of this essential industry. To overcome this challenge, it is essential that urgent measures are taken to attract and retain new professionals and ensure a sustainable and profitable future for road freight transport.