One of the key issues, coming from my visit to InnoTrans this year, was the industry’s urgent need for more qualified drivers. Curious to the extent of the problem I did some research on my return to the office, to get a better understanding of the challenge.

The UK, and EU are facing significant, if not critical driver shortages. The US is reporting that up to 96% of transit agencies are facing workforce shortages. Canada is projecting a growing shortage of drivers between now and 2031 and Australia is warning of losing 35% of their driver workforce due to retirement by 2035. The contributory factors reported are common across all countries.

• Retention and an ageing workforce heading for retirement
• Lack of recruitment and attracting younger workers
• Lengthy training processes
• An increasing demand for passenger and freight services
• Industrial relations disputes

The problem is current and growing. Train services are regularly delayed or cancelled and demand for more passenger and freight services are not being met. Operators, industry bodies and governments know, and are acting, with big initiatives to increase recruitment, including in some cases, reducing the minimum age train drivers from 20 to 18. However no single action or campaign will solve the issue. It needs an industry-wide approach addressing the macro and micro issues that, combined, will make a real difference.

In the coming weeks we will offer some further thoughts on the following areas of driver training design that can accelerate the learning process.

• Accelerating practise with microlearning
• Maximising the benefits of a blended training approach
• Supporting the upskilling of existing drivers for the adoption of new in-cab technologies
• Helping accelerate route learning

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