Over 105,000 job vacancies – for any industry in demand

The IRU’s predictions for the bus and coach driving industry, which will not attract new blood, are ominous.

continuously There is a growing shortage of professional bus and coach drivers In Europe, the International Road Transport Union (IRU) is sounding the alarm About 105,000 job vacancies.

It represents the number 10% of the total population professional bus and coach drivers and represents a 54% increase compared to 2022.

The recovery of the coach and bus sector following the Covid-19 health crisis has increased the demand for drivers, with more than 80% of fleet managers facing Severe or very severe difficulties In filling up the posts.

This problem is particularly acute for regional buses, long distance and tourist buses.

Secretary General of the IRU, Umberto De Bretto, Said: “Transport companies across Europe are struggling to find drivers. Services are already hampered by driver shortages,” said IRU Secretary General Umberto di Bretto, “There is a shortage of bus and coach drivers. A 54% increase From last year, but more worryingly A small percentage of young people entering the profession compared to the high rate of older drivers retiring.”

Ominous predictions

According to the IRU, up to 2028 The defects Bus and Training Drivers More than doubleDue to retirement over the next five years 330,000 professionalsWhen the rate of entry into the profession is very low.

A fixed population gap

The IRU figures show the same 16% of bus and coach drivers are womenBelow average for both the transport sector as a whole (22%) and the economically active population (46%).

Plus, less 3% of bus and coach drivers in Europe are under the age of 25More than 40% are above 55 years of age.

As Umberto de Pretto discovered, a career as a bus and coach driver is a good opportunity Reduces youth unemployment, and for increasing the number of important employees. “Governments and industry must work together to defuse this demographic time bomb.”

Still, the IRU recommends it Lower the minimum age Currently in Europe 21 to 24 years old to enter the industry, reduce The cost of obtaining a diplomaand facilitating the entry of third-country nationals into the industry.

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