Fleet managers are putting an even stronger focus on finding and retaining staff than in previous years, according to the 2019 New Zealand Telematics Benchmark Report.
Conducted by Teletrac Navman, the annual report examines best practices, trends and current issues influencing fleet management in New Zealand. It’s based on survey responses from 132 fleet operations and fleet management professionals throughout the country.
With the unemployment rate sitting at 3.9%, businesses need to remain focused on attracting and retaining the best drivers.
Around one third (32%) of respondents said finding, retaining, and developing talent is one of their top investments for 2019, while around one quarter (24%) cite it as one of their top challenges.
While there’s been a marked jump in driver monitoring, safe drivers are not necessarily being rewarded, the report says.
On top of reduced risk of incidents and injuries, the wider benefits of improving driver behaviour includes the reductions in fuel use, vehicle wear and tear, and compliance risk.
Drivers wanted
- Around two out of five businesses (44%) are experiencing driver shortages, as 56% of businesses plan to increase fleet size.
- Top recruitment methods include online job boards (51%), print media/ trade publications (39%), referrals (39%) and social networking (36%).
- Businesses with fleets expect it will take 11.4 years until autonomous driving will impact their business
Retaining and rewarding drivers
- Popular retention methods include increasing pay (35%), driver appreciation programmes (23%) and upgrading equipment (20%).
- Driver monitoring has increased year-on-year. A majority of companies are monitoring driving (68%), rising 38% since 2018.
- Three in 10 (32%) businesses reward safe drivers.
Retaining and rewarding drivers
- Popular retention methods include increasing pay (35%), driver appreciation programmes (23%) and upgrading equipment (20%).
- Driver monitoring has increased year-on-year. A majority of companies are monitoring driving (68%), rising 38% since 2018.
- Three in 10 (32%) businesses reward safe drivers.
