Almost 20% of trucks remain parked. The reason - there is no one to drive them. In the European Union, the shortage of heavy goods vehicle drivers is huge, and in our country it is no different, bTV reported.
Hristo Hristov has been traveling 800 kilometers a day for over 20 years. He says that the profession is becoming increasingly highly valued due to the lack of personnel.
“It is associated with many risks, starting with traffic and these additional risks with thefts while on the road. Recently, with the migrant flow in Europe, thefts of fuel and goods have increased, which is an additional complication of the nerves of a driver“, said Hristov.
Despite the risks and difficulties, he loves his profession. “Every day I am in a different place, I am an adventurer, I love change. Today you are in Bulgaria, tomorrow in Spain. The younger generation is starting to become lazy, lazy, I will not work for this money, this job is far below my level, no matter how much money you offer this person - he will not do this job. There is a difference with the older generation, with us it was important to work for a lev, without a lev do not stand“, said Hristov.
However, the lack of personnel is seriously affecting the business. Iliyan Filipov runs a transport company, but has not expanded his fleet for several years. “There is a huge shortage of drivers in Bulgaria, and it is no longer only in Bulgaria, it is in the major countries in Europe. The problem is that young people do not recognize the profession and from then on, with the lack of those willing to train, there is no point in doing it“, said Iliyan Filipov.
Even high pay cannot attract new drivers. The Union of International Carriers is looking for solutions – from importing drivers from third countries to restoring transport technical schools.
“At the moment, a large part of our large companies are looking for and have already started importing drivers from third countries such as India, Qatar, Nepal. Professional high schools no longer train personnel, the previous technical schools, secondary schools trained personnel who graduated with category C. This is no longer practiced and, accordingly, is not given priority“, commented Yordan Arabadzhiev - executive director of the Union of International Carriers.
They do not understand the lack of desire among young people to practice the profession - even temporarily. “If a young person of 21 years old decides to engage in this profession, with a salary of 3,000 euros, he can easily save half of it. In 5 years he would save so much money that in 5 years he could buy a truck and work on his own, buy a house, start a small business“, explained Yordan.
And they are worried that the lack of new drivers will affect our economy.