Page 20 - Logistics News - September - October 2021

DRIVERS

Demand for drivers has doubled

Demand for drivers, including motor vehicle operators, ambulance drivers and attendants, truck
drivers and passenger vehicle drivers, has surged in the last year, according to the jobs analytics
database by GlobalData.

lobalData reveals that job advertisements • Ryder System is offering employees thousands of
for these positions more than doubled from dollars off new purchases of BMW, Jeep, Chrysler,
G 16,417 in August 2020 to 34,515 in August Dodge, Ford, Fiat and GM car models. It is also
2021. It notes that simply advertising for drivers is facilitating discounts on electronics and jewellery.
not enough and incentives such as sign-on bonuses • Penske Corporation is offering a salary of $94,000
and high wages are needed to fill positions. A high to $144,000 for top Class A CDL drivers.
number of retirements in recent times and tough • Core-Mark Holding Company is providing a
working conditions have prompted companies to go $15,000 sign-on bonus for Class A drivers.
the extra mile.
Thalluri continues, “While lucrative benefits have
become common to attract drivers, companies are
also reviewing their hiring strategies. For example,
Challenger Motor Freight listed a role for ‘director
of driver recruiting’ in August 2021 to implement
innovative recruitment and retention strategies.”

“Similarly, XPO Logistics is developing plans
to build truck and driver capacity, as well as a
recruitment programme to meet driver growth
targets. Meanwhile, Anderson Trucking Service
listed a role for a ‘vice president of driver recruiting’
to research and explore emerging technology and
legislation that may impact or expand the company’s
ability to recruit drivers,” he adds.
Ajay Thalluri, Business Fundamentals Analyst
at GlobalData, says, “Drivers are in demand now DoorDash, which relies on gig workers, is
more than ever and many companies have decided hiring to expand in new geographies. Its listing
to tackle the shortage by providing sign-on bonuses for a ‘director, driver conversion and international
of up to $15,000, as well as paying salaries of up to operations’ role will boost drivers and hit lofty fleet
$144,000 annually.” growth targets in Australia, Canada, Japan and
future launch markets.
Looking at the recently advertised jobs, Thalluri “The hiring trend for drivers is expected to be
L O GI S T I CS NEWS various incentives: strong in Q4 2021, driven by companies increasing
highlights some of the most noteworthy examples of

their focus on direct-to-consumer (DTC) product and
• FedEx listed its highest number of jobs so far, at
service delivery strategies and holiday shopping,”
over 9,600 in August 2021, while United Parcel
Thalluri concludes. •
Service listed around 9,000.

18 SEP T E MB E R/O CT O B E R 2021 www .l o g ist i csn e w s .c o .z a