The Association of Automotive Enterprises says that the state does not train enough truck and bus drivers. The association's director Kersten Kattai wrote to the ministry and asked why the state is not organizing bus driver and truck driver courses for the next academic year. He mentioned that the driver shortage is significant, and the average age of bus drivers is nearly 60 years.
Automotive companies help train drivers. They send their representatives to advisory councils, assist in shaping curricula, and organize workplace-based training. Kattai said that private training companies also train drivers, but many do not enter the workforce after training.
The Ministry of Education and Research does not believe that the lack of training is the reason for the driver shortage. They say the main issue is a market failure. Many drivers are trained, but they do not enter the sector.
An OSKA study shows that the number of new driver training programs is sufficient, but employers feel the driver shortage. The problem lies in working conditions, including low wages.
Kattai said that wages depend on the sector. For example, in the timber transport sector, truck drivers earn over 2,000 euros per month. Bus driver wages should increase in the future.
The chairman of the Transport Trade Union, Üllar Kallas, said that many truck drivers are trained, but wages are low. Long-distance truck drivers' pay largely consists of per diem allowances, on which the employer does not pay taxes.
Kallas also mentioned that companies often file damage claims against drivers. For example, in the case of traffic accidents, an employee may face significant claims.
The Association of Automotive Enterprises and the Transport Trade Union have reached an agreement to raise bus driver wages. This should bring bus driver salaries closer to the Estonian average.
Truck drivers do not receive the same guarantee. Their wages must be at least the Estonian minimum wage. Kallas said that the driver shortage may lead to the need to bring in drivers from other countries where wages are lower.
An OSKA report published in April 2024 states that the biggest problem in road transport is an aging workforce. Within the next 10 years, about 40% of truck drivers and 60% of bus drivers will leave the labor market.