Fair tackles driver shortage

Fair tackles driver shortage

About 100,000 more drivers are needed

A Transport Fair aimed at attracting hundreds of new people to a career in lorry driving is taking place in Middlesbrough.

A nationwide shortage of lorry drivers is reported to be at nearly 100,000.

Now local firms are putting commercial issues aside and getting together to tackle the problem head-on.

They have formed the Transport Sector Group, which is a partnership of local companies, Learning and Skills Council Tees Valley together with training providers and trade associations.

The group have pledged to offer 10 people at the fair jobs with one of the group members.

'Change perceptions'

The fair is taking place on Friday and Saturday at Middlesbrough Football Club's Riverside stadium.

Managing director of Isotank and chairman of the Transport Sector Group, Colin Garnett they were attempting to change perceptions of the industry.

"[The shortage] is a real constraint to growing our businesses and I think that is the purpose of the group getting together.

"The idea behind the fair is to increase awareness of the opportunities that are available in transport.

"It also gives us a chance to show people trucks, show the public real people who work in the industry and also increase employer engagement."