What can be done to recruit and retain drivers? CPT and Stephensons of Essex presented their ideas to EBE visitors
Keith McNally, Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) Operations Director (pictured) and Bill Hiron, Managing Director of Stephensons of Essex, discussed a range of topics about driver recruitment and retention.
These included how to attract new people, what can be done to encourage retention and the role the CPT plays in assisting its operator members to recruit and retain staff.
Mr McNally opened by explaining how the way the industry can be perceived as ‘old fashioned, unsexy and male-dominated’ has an impact of on driver recruitment.
Raising the profile of the industry is key, says Mr McNally and he provides examples of how the CPT is helping by promoting driving through Job Centre Plus and the Armed Forces Covenant, for example.
Mr Hiron then described some of the challenges Stephensons has faced as a smaller, non-municipal operator.
“We got to the point where not only was the quality of people coming from bigger operators pretty poor, but the quantity was also diminishing, so we set up our own driving school,” he says.
Rates of pay is something they both say puts people off.
“Coach and bus driving are quite attractive jobs, but the elephant in the room is the rates of pay,” says Mr Hiron.
Therefore, offering driver benefits is important for retention, such as paying for drivers’ DCPC and offering free tea and coffee are small things that that help make drivers feel valued, says Mr Hiron.
Offering flexible working hours where possible also helps, he adds.
Job fairs, depot open days and apprenticeships were also ideas discussed as ways to encourage recruitment.
