Unveiling the Shift in Transportation: A Whopping 51% of Bus and Train Drivers in Germany are Career Changers
Majority of Passengers on German Buses and Trains identified as Profession Switchers in Recent Study - More than Half of German Bus and Train Operators recognized as Multi-Lane Drivers according to a Study.
Looking at the bustling landscape of Germany, you might not suspect the major hurdles faced by the transportation sector, especially the shortage of bus and train drivers. The Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) reveals there are 100,000 bus drivers in the country, yet a staggering 20,000 are missing from public local transport alone. Similarly, there are 40,000 train drivers, yet the industry faces a deficit of 3,000. In a candid interview, the VDV personnel committee chairman, Harald Kraus, admitted, "We're in the trenches trying to recruit personnel, particularly for driving positions, with demographic pressures being a significant factor."
To make the profession more appealing, employees crave improved working conditions and a more considerate treatment from passengers. This shift in mindset is apparent; around one third of respondents acknowledge the challenge of juggling their work schedules with personal life. Traffic stress is another persistent burden.
While 51% rate the social image of their profession as poor or atrocious, it's unsuitable working hours and low pay that contribute to this dismal assessment. Conversely, more than two-thirds (68.6%) chose driving a bus or train because they flat-out love the driving experience. Job security (57.3%) and proximity of work to home (47.3%) were other deciding factors.
In a bid to understand this fascinating trend, the VDV, in partnership with digital consultancy Nexum, surveyed 1,425 employees across the industry. So, what's driving these career changes within Germany's transportation sector? Clues might lie buried in more nuanced data from the survey.
- Germany
- Career Shifts
- Employee Satisfaction
- Work-Life Balance
- Challenges in Transportation
- Employee Surveys
- DrivingPreferences
- The Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) is grappling with a significant shortage of bus and train drivers in Germany, with over 20,000 missing from public local transport alone and a deficit of 3,000 train drivers.
- The survey conducted by VDV in partnership with digital consultancy Nexum reveals that around one third of respondents acknowledge the challenge of juggling their work schedules with personal life, and traffic stress is another persistent burden.
- Contrary to popular belief, more than two-thirds of employees in Germany's transportation sector chose driving a bus or train because they love the driving experience, with job security and proximity of work to home being other deciding factors.
- To make the profession more appealing and improve employee satisfaction, it is essential to address challenges like work-life balance and traffic stress, and create a more positive social image of the industry.
