NEW Commercial Driving Apprenticeship Launched

The success of a supply chain is reliant on strong robust relationships at all links of the chain, that deliver efficient on time every time logistics. At every stage of the supply chain, there is a reliance on Truck Drivers and the companies they work for! The freight transport function of distribution is critical to efficient logistics and is often taken for granted. The cost associated with transportation is close to 55% of the total cost of logistics. In 2018, road transport accounted for 76% of the total inland freight transport across the EU (based on tonne-kilometres performed). However, in Ireland it is much higher at almost 99% due to the significantly lower contribution of other modes of transport. Our reliance on truck drivers is not reflected in the status this profession has within the supply chain or in the public domain and must be challenged. When we think of Trucks we tend to automatically think of Haulage, i.e., the distribution of goods by truck for hire and reward, however they only make up half of the story. Currently there are over 40,000 Irish registered Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV’s) greater than 3.5 tonnes in Ireland. Of that number, 21,437 vehicles are included in the 3,812 Road Haulage Operator Licences issued by the State. The average size haulage operator has 5.6 HGVs. The own account HGV operations are identifiable as being involved in the movement of their own goods, [not for hire and reward], such as fuel distribution, retail distribution, local authorities, waste management services and so on and these companies make up the balance. This apprenticeship is open to both the haulage and own account sector!