Europe faces a substantial shortage of trailer/truck drivers, with demand significantly outpacing the available workforce. Recent statistics reveal an alarming shortage of over 150,000 skilled drivers in the region, highlighting the critical need for innovative solutions. NSDC International (NSDCI) sensing an opportunity for Indian skilled drivers, has collaborated with Baton Transport, a European road transport company and Anywhere Jobs combine in upskiling and supplying drivers including women truck drivers from India in their efforts to tackle the acute shortage of skilled trailer drivers in Europe. This collaboration is encouraging and training Indian women in the trucking industry.
This week, Anywhere Jobs onboarded 30 highly qualified trailer drivers for Baton Transport through a comprehensive hiring drive in Delhi. Currently, 10 women drivers are already contributing to Baton Transport’s fleet, but the company has a determined goal of achieving a 50% representation of women drivers in its fleet. Baton Transport will partner with Anywhere Jobs to upskill Indian women taxi drivers, training them to take up trailer driving roles in Europe.
Speaking on this partnership, Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO of NSDC and MD of NSDC International, highlighting the great opportunities for women to advance in their careers added, “Recognizing and honoring the strength of women in the trucking industry, NSDCI is thrilled to partner with Anywhere Jobs for a transformative initiative. By empowering Indian women drivers, we are not only helping them reach their aspirations but also driving positive change across the entire industry. Our collaboration with Anywhere Jobs is a source of pride, as we will play a crucial role in this remarkable venture.”
Relay driving, a strategy pioneered in India by Deepak Garg, CEO of Anywhere Jobs, has proven to be a robust solution for addressing the driver shortage and providing enhanced customer service at a lower operational cost. For the last decade, Baton Transport has also been employing the relay trucking approach in Europe, which aligns with their commitment to offering a safer and more balanced life for trailer drivers, especially women drivers. The safety standards prevalent in Europe, combined with the relay trucking approach at Baton Transport, promises to create an environment conducive for Indian women drivers to explore and excel in this transformative opportunity.
Deepak Garg, Founder and CEO of Anywhere Jobs, added, “This partnership with Baton Transport offers an unprecedented opportunity for women taxi drivers to upgrade their skills and become truck pilots in Europe. For us, it’s a CSR initiative, and we are looking to invest our time, money and energy to make the dream of empowering more women to take up trucking as a career a reality. With this partnership, we aim to bridge that gap and offer a unique opportunity for women to enter the trucking industry.”
Claus Normann Hansen, CEO of Baton Transport, shared his excitement about the partnership, emphasizing the unique solution provided by Anywhere Jobs.,”This collaborative initiative not only promises to empower Indian trailer drivers but also marks a significant stride towards advancing women’s roles and opportunities in the global trucking industry.”
