The global trucking industry’s labor crisis is set to worsen. By 2028, there will be an estimated shortage of more than 7 million drivers, a situation aggravated by an aging workforce, according to Samsara in its report “ Building for the Next Generation: Workforce Trends in Physical Operations .”

Currently, 24.3% of transport workers are over 55 years old and only 12% are under 25 years old . This trend impacts the land transport industry, which is key to the global economy and the distribution of essential goods.

To address this and other challenges, Samsara compiled surveys from more than 1,550 physical operations leaders across 21 industries, including transportation , for the report .

The surveys were conducted in seven countries around the world, including 150 in Mexico . The study analyzes how technology is revolutionizing security, protection and efficiency for the workforce.

“It’s no secret that the job market can be challenging in industries like transportation, construction, and field services. However, we are seeing how technology is making a huge difference in the way younger talent perceives their career opportunities,” said Brendali López, Marketing Director for Samsara in Mexico.

The report also mentions how technology is attracting a new generation of operators.

The report found that 71% of leaders frequently hear feedback from their employees about the need for greater investment in safety and security .

In Mexico, 68% of leaders report this concern , highlighting the need for better emergency response protocols, improvements in personal protective equipment (PPE), and more efficient tools to locate stolen or lost vehicles and cargo.

Given the importance of technology, 99% of the leaders surveyed are considering investing more in technology that improves the security and protection of the workforce. In this analysis, the country with the greatest perspective on the part of leaders to invest in technology is Germany with 74% followed by Mexico with 71% according to the Samsara report.

The top three safety and security improvements requested by workers are:

• Enhanced emergency response protocols (44%).
• Improvement in personal protective equipment (41%).
• Advanced tools to locate and recover stolen or lost equipment (40%).

The study also shows that there are five main technologies implemented to ensure the safety and protection of the workforce , the first of which is GPS for tracking vehicles, equipment and operators.

The financial impact of these investments is significant. 81% of organizations save more than 10 million pesos (mdp) due to labor protection technology. In Mexico, 31% have reported savings of more than 20 million pesos.

85% of leaders believe that technology has made their industry more attractive to young workers. In Mexico, 74% of leaders share this opinion.

More than 80% of organizations already use e-learning platforms or learning management systems (LMS) to make training more accessible, effective and technology-centric.

99 % of leaders say technology improvements have freed up workers’ time to focus on high-value tasks, such as preventative maintenance and safety checks.

“Our research shows that technology is not only making these industries more attractive, but is also contributing to long-term talent retention. The return on investment is significant and there is still great potential to be explored, as many companies are just beginning their digital transformation,” added López.

Samsara’s recommended framework for change management encompasses five key stages. Every successful launch or iteration of a program combines the same five stages.

Investment in technology is an unavoidable necessity for physical operations. Leaders in Mexico and around the world have identified that the adoption of technologies focused on safety, efficiency and training not only protects workers, but also offers a clear return on investment.

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Coupled with the growth in the request for cargo transportation services, the demand for motor equipment has been constantly increasing, and although the deliveries of these vehicles have been regularized, one of the biggest current problems for the sector is having the trained talent to lead the growing fleet .

It is clear that today the shortage of operators causes a bottleneck in the operations of transport companies. According to the latest study presented by the International Road Transport Union (IRU) , in Mexico there are approximately 56 thousand vacant positions for freight transport operators.

Among the causes that discourage the incorporation of new drivers among the ranks of the motor transport lines is the growing road insecurity that exists in Mexico , where not only the merchandise has experienced robberies but the operators of the units have sometimes been injured. or murdered by criminal gangs.

Given this reality and with the objective of encouraging the training of operators, Daimler Truck México delivered four Cascadia tractors on loan to the Training Centers for Industrial Work (Cecati) of Aguascalientes, Nuevo Laredo and the State of Mexico, as well as to the Veracruz Motor Transport Training, in coordination with the National Chamber of Cargo Transport (Canacar) .

The program called Education in Motion is part of the manufacturer’s plan to promote the development of new generations of driving professionals, which are expected to number 700 during one year.

“The issue of the shortage of operators cannot be resolved by a single shipowner, company, association or chamber, it is a joint responsibility. Everyone’s job is to take care of people and recognize the work of operators , and also encourage a greater number of young people with the best knowledge to join the ranks of cargo transportation,” explained Claudio de la Peña, Sales Director. and Marketing of Daimler Truck Mexico.

De la Peña assured that with this delivery the shipowner agrees to a commitment with Canacar to promote a new generation of operators who not only obtain knowledge of new technologies, but also of safety and protocols that must be followed on the roads.

“It is very important to have a comprehensive training plan. Although it is true that the operation is the backbone of the program, it is also important to know how to manage the asset. We know that the operator is responsible for many tasks, including exercising security protocols for any contingency on the road. It is crucial that you know how to identify any indicator that predicts some damage to your life, the load, the environment and the unit, so these are topics that are being incorporated into the training,” De la Peña told T21.

Likewise, he indicated that the program is a living entity in which feedback will be key to adapt it according to the demand of each training center.

For his part, Jorge Monroy, director of Institutional Relations of TMS and vice president of the Central Region of Canacar, explained that one of the main objectives of the Chamber is to address the deficit of operators , in this sense he stated that this type of programs They contribute to achieving the training and professionalization goals of new generations of operators behind the wheel of tractor trucks.

“This sector evolves and adapts to new times, which implies greater expertise and knowledge of the units that every day have more advanced and complex technologies, which must be manipulated with extensive knowledge at all times, which will ensure efficiency and effectiveness in operations,” stated Monroy.

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