How to Survive and Thrive in South Africa’s Truck Driver Shortage

In South Africa and worldwide, the truck driver shortage is becoming more and more apparent. This shortage is particularly challenging for businesses that rely on qualified drivers to keep their operations running smoothly.

Not only is the current workforce retiring earlier, but lockdown restrictions have made it difficult for new drivers joining the industry to get trained and licensed. The current social and economic challenging may also spur a rise in driver strikes, which could damage the country’s already fragile logistics sector.

The good news is that there are ways to survive and thrive in this type of environment. The modern workforce can be more adaptable and resilient with the help of outsourcing services.

By working with drivers for hire through a driving specialist agency, businesses can access a flexible solution that works for them. This solution means other drivers can fill in when drivers are on leave; drivers with specialist skillsets can transport different goods and cargo as needed, and companies can easily hire drivers with the right experience for specific tasks.

This article explores how to survive and thrive in South Africa’s truck driver shortage.

Are you looking for a more direct way to overcome truck driver challenges? If so, you can reach out to MASA and access a reliable supply of industry-leading drivers across South Africa.

Hire more qualified and experienced drivers

Covering a vacancy in your driving operation is a crucial task that an outsourced driving specialist can handle for your business.

However, a top outsourcing agency hires not just to fill a position but to ensure that your company teams up with the most qualified drivers for the jobs. Employing more skilled and experienced drivers can help boost productivity and mitigate the various risks of commercial driving in South Africa.

In the face of severe driver shortages, your company could hire fewer drivers and still maintain a healthy bottom line with efficient, expert drivers leading your logistics operations.

Leverage a flexible solution

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge to navigate because of unpredictable changes to lockdown regulations and how they affect business.

Partnering with an outsourced driving specialist will give your company a significant amount of flexibility and freedom to adapt to changing circumstances and still keep drivers on-site.

You can increase or decrease your staff complement at any time and deal with any seasonal changes in your requirements while still maintaining high productivity and safety standards.

For example, drivers for hire can fill in during the quarantine period when drivers cannot work. With drivers available at a moment’s notice, your business can continue to operate smoothly and ensure drivers are always on hand when needed.

Recruit drivers with specialist skillsets

Businesses need to recruit drivers with specialist skillsets to survive and thrive in South Africa’s truck driver shortage.

This means that your logistics team should have trained and licensed drivers to transport different goods, such as hazardous materials or live animals.

Having specialist drivers for the job can make all the difference in mitigating risks and ensuring high productivity. When a business has drivers with the right experience, it reduces operational downtime and increases safety.

For example,  drivers with the right experience will know how to safely transport hazardous materials and live animals, ensuring that your business can meet delivery schedules. This factor is crucial in South Africa’s truck driver shortage environment, where fewer workers have specialist skillsets.

Tap into an industry-wide supply of drivers

When it comes to finding drivers with the right skills and experience, an outsourced driving specialist will have access to a vast network of drivers that your business can leverage.

You can find drivers for hire experienced in transporting specific types of goods or cargo, familiar with different routes across South Africa, or skilled in using the latest technologies in commercial driving.

This also gives you the peace of mind that comes with knowing drivers are screened and qualified to meet your safety and performance standards. They are ready to enter your workforce and deliver value to your company from the word “go”.

Recruit drivers faster

Hiring drivers in-house can be a lengthy process, which is not ideal in a situation where drivers are in short supply.

An outsourced driving specialist can help you quickly and efficiently recruit drivers with the skills and experience you need for your business. This efficiency is thanks to an extensive screening process that allows only the most qualified drivers into their network.

This also gives your company access to a large pool of drivers, so you won’t have to spend time looking for qualified drivers available to work when you need them most.

Minimise risks with increased safety measures

An outsourced driving specialist will ensure drivers meet the highest qualifications, safety, and performance standards.

This is due to the specialist agency’s years of experience in the field and its focus on driver safety and compliance. By hiring drivers through an outsourced driving specialist, you are minimising your business’s risk exposure and ensuring that your drivers are productive and safe on the road.

Leading driving specialists like MASA will also include liability coverage in your staffing solution, which ensures that drivers are insured on the road. This coverage protects you from liabilities in case of accidents and gives drivers more peace of mind while driving for your company.

Get behind the wheel

The truck driver shortage is a pressing challenge for businesses in South Africa. However, companies can survive and thrive amidst these economic challenges by hiring drivers through a driving specialist agency.

An outsourced driving specialist is a one-stop resource for all your driver recruitment needs, saving you time and money upfront while still delivering drivers who are qualified and experienced in commercial driving.

Even better, drivers for hire can be a reliable solution to your staffing needs in times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses should consider how drivers for hire can help them overcome these challenges and improve their productivity.

If you are looking for a more direct way to overcome truck driver challenges, reach out to MASA today for a reliable supply of drivers across South Africa. With drivers for hire available at a moment’s notice, your business can continue to operate smoothly and ensure drivers are always on hand when needed.