Finding Truck Drivers outside Europe

Addressing the Truck Driver Shortages: Connecting European Fleet Owners with Experienced African Drivers

The trucking industry is currently facing a significant challenge: a shortage of qualified truck drivers. As fleet owners in Europe seek solutions to maintain their operations, it becomes essential to explore innovative ways to source talent. One such solution is the unique one of Bluekazi Group, a company based in Germany and in African countries, dedicated to finding and preboarding experienced African truck drivers preferably with Code 14 license from South Africa.

Truck Driver Shortage and Demographic Trends

The truck driver shortage is widely impacted by demographic trends, as an aging workforce and declining interest among younger generations in pursuing driving careers are expected to exacerbate the issue over the next few years. This shift not only threatens the supply chain but also highlights the urgent need for strategic workforce development initiatives to attract new talent into the industry.

Understanding the Code 14 License

In South Africa, the Code 14 license is a professional driver’s license that allows individuals to operate heavy-duty vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) exceeding 16,000 kilograms. These vehicles include:

• Large trucks and trailers (articulated vehicles).

• Buses and other large passenger vehicles.

• Commercial construction vehicles, such as dump trucks.

The Code 14 training and examination meet high quality standards and have been recognized by states such as Germany to be eligible for conversion. Many drivers from surrounding countries have worked many years in and for South African transport companies and hold the Code 14 license as well as their national license. South Africa is a busy transit transport nation with a lot of goods going to or coming from Durban sea port.

Conversion of South African Licenses to CE Licenses

South Africa is listed in for example Germany's Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung - FeV Anlage 11 (zu § 31), which facilitates the conversion of the Code 14 license into a CE license in Germany. This ensures that drivers can undergo a smooth conversion of their foreign drivers license, to meet the necessary legal requirements to operate heavy vehicles within the EU. This saves fleet owners and drivers from several months of costly alignment trainings by re-doing B, CE licenses in Europe.

The conversion process typically involves:

• Verification of the driver's qualifications and experience.

• Issuance of the CE license

• Code 95 professional driver training (140h)

How Bluekazi Group Facilitates Preboarding

Bluekazi Group as a specialised agency plays a crucial role in connecting African drivers and European fleet owners. Here’s how they streamline the preboarding process:

• Talent Sourcing: Bluekazi Group actively searches for experienced english speaking truck drivers in South Africa and surrounding nations, further also in Dubai and India, focusing on those holding ideally a Code 14 license.

• Screening and Assessment: Each candidate undergoes a rigorous screening process to assess their experience, medical/mental status, family situation and fit with the european labour market

• Preboarding Support: Bluekazi Group provides comprehensive support to drivers and employers, including intercultural preparation, language course guidance (to obtain e.g. German A2 language certificate if required by the employer) and assistance with the necessary paperwork for relocation.

• Training and Orientation: Once drivers arrive in Europe, Bluekazi Group and the employer make sure that a tailored onboarding training program starts, with Code95, LHD and in-company trainings, to familiarize them with local regulations and driving conditions.

The Benefits for Fleet Owners

By partnering with Bluekazi Group, fleet owners can enjoy several benefits:

• Access to a large Pool of Qualified Drivers: Fleet owners can tap into a diverse talent pool of experienced drivers who are ready to meet the demands of the industry and are familiar with modern trucks like MB Actros, MAN TGX, Volvo FH, DAF XF, Scania.

• Streamlined Process: With the expertise of Bluekazi Group, the conversion of licenses becomes a smoother process, reducing downtime for fleet operations and faster hirings.

• Enhanced Operational Efficiency: By filling driver vacancies quickly, fleet owners maintain their delivery schedules and improve overall revenue. No standstill of trucks because of lack of drivers.

Conclusion

The truck driver shortage is a pressing issue for several fleet owners, but solutions are available. By leveraging the services of Bluekazi Group, fleet owners can find and preboard experienced African truck drivers with and without Code 14 licenses from South Africa. With the added benefit of converting these licenses to CE licenses in for example Germany, fleet owners are able to ensure they have the qualified drivers necessary to keep their operations running smoothly. Embracing this innovative approach is an effective counter-strategy against the shrinking drivers workforce in Europe.