As we move into June, driver recruitment remains a significant challenge. According to Transport Topics, it is unclear how demand for truck drivers will be this year. It will depend on how the freight market looks and affect many things. No one knows what the numbers will be like on the market. It also means that the demand for truck drivers remains unpredictable heading into the new year.
What is in store for 2024?
We had more than two years of pandemic-driven demand. Driver recruitment and retention were not the most significant focus areas. So much depends on how the market turns out for the new year. Most people have taken the most straightforward approach to the new year. They will wait and see how things go before making most decisions. In the previous year, most hoped the third quarter would come with better numbers. Things did not go as planned.
The holidays did not produce the output most were hoping for. People are predicting different timelines for when to expect good numbers in 2024. Some have said the first quarter, while others have pushed it to the end of the year. Nobody knows how well or bad the market will be. It is also an election year. This does not help, given how the country is so divided politically. There is uncertainty, and that's why most are going with the wait-and-see approach.
Drivers in numbers
A report shows that 56.1% of truck drivers were optimistic that the freight recession would end. The survey shows that 33.3% of truck drivers are looking for other jobs. A vast majority of those looking for jobs want more predictable pay. Fleets must understand all there is to know about drivers. This would massively help in recruitment, and fleets would see the value of the drivers coming to work with them.
Fleets must know how drivers in their regions are being paid. Technology is another vital factor fleets must pay attention to. Those who convincingly tell their stories online will have a better chance at success. Telling your story is as basic as it gets. Some prefer to stick to the tried and tested ways of operating, but they must also understand today's technology.
We are still in the post-pandemic days. Once the industry fully bounces back, there will be a huge turn. Most fleets will now be more confident. They will use their numbers to attract drivers to come and work with them. 66% of the survey drivers claimed they were not looking for other jobs. The number seems high, but it may not always be what it appears to be. A small number of those not looking for jobs are afraid to make any moves during this economy. Some of them will stay put to get more experience. But the majority claim to be happy at their current places of work. When the recession ends, it will be interesting to see how the driver recruitment and retention look line. Close to 35% of the drivers would be on the move.
Truckers will have to get more creative with their hiring going forward. They will focus more on what the organization needs more than anything else. Some companies will invest in the talent they already have. There is and has always been a great need for drivers. It is not going to change any soon. However, given how the freight market is, most fleets will downplay the need for drivers for now. They will wait for the freight turnaround before making moves. Therefore, there will be uncertainty regarding the demand for drivers until the market improves.
