Skills: The Real Challenge Behind the Wheel

It’s National Lorry Week, and this year’s theme, “Driven by You” couldn’t be more fitting. It’s a celebration of the people who make our industry work: drivers, technicians, planners, depot teams, and everyone in between. These are the people who keep the country moving, and many of them are our members, colleagues, and partners.

But while we’re celebrating, we also need to consider the skills required.

More Than Just Driving

Road transport isn’t just about lorries and drivers. It’s about the people behind the scenes; engineers, fleet managers, compliance officers, and logistics teams. These teams make sure everything runs smoothly. These roles are vital, and they’re changing fast as technology evolves.

The problem is, we don’t have enough people coming into these jobs. There’s a real skills shortage, especially in technical roles.

Apprenticeships: A Smart Way In

One of the best ways to tackle this is through apprenticeships. They give people a chance to learn on the job, earn a wage, and build a career. Apprenticeships work. But we need more of them, and we need more companies to get involved.

At the RHA we can help businesses navigate the process and find the right support. Because investing in people isn’t just good for the industry, it’s good for business.

Education Matters

We also need to do a better job of showing what our industry is really about. That means talking about the wide range of careers available and breaking down old stereotypes.

Driven by You

National Lorry Week is all about celebrating the people who make it happen.

Let’s use this week not just to celebrate, but to look ahead. What kind of industry do we need to build? One that’s strong, skilled, and ready for the future.

What Needs to Happen

Here’s what we’re calling for:

• More support for apprenticeships and training.

• Better access to funding and resources for small businesses.

• Stronger links between education and industry.

• A real push to make our sector inclusive and welcoming.

We’ve got the jobs. We’ve got the opportunities. Now we need the people to make it all work.