When you drive along the motorways or travel on normal roads you will drive alongside or meet with HGVs. Some will be emblazoned with large label names and logos displayed across their bodies, providing a glimpse of what they are transporting. Others have no logos or names leaving you wondering what the contents of their load could be. It is obvious that HGVs are a common feature on UK highways but they go unnoticed almost all the time. There is indifference by most people on the degree to which our economy and lifestyles rely on their crucial deliveries. To highlight the importance of this industry, Surrey and Hampshire HGV Training have compiled 6 facts that will make you appreciate HGVs.
A Large Percentage of UK Goods are Transported by Road
Our first fact is a staggering statistic: 98% of products and goods used by UK residents are hauled by road. This includes everything ranging from luxuries like wines to basic stuff such as toiletries. Road haulage anchors the UK economy and real hardship would arise without it. Many of the goods or the associated parts are imported from other countries. For this reason, the transport industry is concerned about the impact of Brexit on trade networks.
The Haulage Industry Provides Thousands of Jobs
Heavy lorry driving and conveyance of goods are responsible for approximately 600,000 jobs for residents in the UK. In short, the HGV industry currently employs 600,000 drivers. Surprisingly, only 1.2% of HGV drivers are female which indicates that major progress will be required to achieve gender parity. Sadly, despite the large employment numbers, there are still insufficient drivers. Logistics companies are projecting a prolonged wait in filing 36% of vacant posts as they scout for appropriate hires, while 15% of open positions will remain vacant.
Huge Haulage Operations Create Additional Jobs
Since the UK economy depends on trailer trucks, it is quite clear that the haulage sector is a large employer in the economy. Furthermore, drivers are just a small fraction of the personnel required to run a haulage operation. There are other personnel engaged such as loaders involved in unloading and loading pallets from warehouses and HGVs, storehouse managers, transport schedulers, administrative personnel and many more. With this extensive personnel requirement, the UK transport sector employs a total of approximately 2.5 million people.
Put Your Money Where Your Haulage Is
Besides being among the largest employers in the UK economy, the haulage industry is highly valued on its own merits. Using the latest figures, the haulage industry is estimated to be worth around £124 billion to the UK economy. So when we indicate that the haulage sector is a pillar of the UK economy, we are not overstating its importance but we are merely giving facts! Transporting goods around various cities generate a large amount of money in the UK every year, and the money generated will increase over time. However, with the hovering irresolution of Brexit, experts are cautious on the prospects of this once steady sector.
The Industry Attracts Diverse Demographic Groups
The HGV sector pulls participants from a variety of diverse demographic backgrounds. For instance, we have female and male drivers, drivers who have worked in other industries, and lifelong drivers who have been driving throughout their entire adult lives. In fact, did you know that 48-years-old is the median age of an HGV driver? Another statistic is that 13% of all the drivers under this band are EU residents. This means that their current resident status is not assured after Brexit.
Heavy Goods Ahead
The term heavy goods vehicle denotes various things. However, when it is applied to heavy transport, it evokes admiration. For instance, currently, the number of registered commercial vehicles weighing over 3.5 tonnes totals 524,500. This is the approximate weight of an adolescent African elephant. An astonishing 250,000 registered vehicles are currently driven by members of the Road Haulage Association, which assures the quality of the driver.
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