5 Ways to Boost Your Operations Using Temporary Drivers
Maintaining an efficient and cost-effective logistics and transportation operation is essential for companies to survive and thrive in this competitive landscape. From factory to the road, drivers play a valuable part in the logistics continuum.
“Without skilled, committed truck drivers, much of the economy and life as we know it in SA, would come to a grinding halt. Trained and qualified drivers mitigate accidents, curb losses and ensure the country’s residents receive their essential supplies without delay, all while contributing to the economy.”
These are the sentiments of Arnoux Maré, MD from Innovative Learning Solutions – one of Africa’s biggest driver training companies. He believes that truck drivers are as vital as the goods they carry and highlights the growing concern over driver shortages.
Drivers don’t just transport material from one place to another. They play a vital role in securing the livelihood of consumers and the success of all the stakeholders within a supply chain.
“As of 2021, there is a shortage of approximately 3,000 truck and bus drivers in the SA transport sector,” said Maré.
This number does not even include the specialist drivers who operate forklifts, reach trucks, and other heavy machinery. Businesses need to consider their options – should they outsource temporary drivers or look for alternatives for managing the driver shortage crisis?
Well, whether you’re dealing with a driver shortage or a lack of specialised drivers for the job, here are five ways to boost your operations using temporary drivers.
If you are looking for a more immediate solution, contact MASA today to connect with South Africa’s leading driving specialists.
1. Specialised skills
Outsourcing is not always an option, but it could be the best decision a company makes to maintain its operations during high-demand periods, which require additional capacity and expertise on-site.
Specialist drivers are skilled in operating machinery, forklifts, and other heavy equipment to ensure efficient operations on-site. There is no need for additional training or hiring new staff – temporary drivers come with all the necessary skillsets needed to get started straight away.
This saves your company precious time during high-demand periods when you cannot afford staff training or require additional capacity.
2. Driving experience
Driving specialists like MASA provide a pool of highly experienced drivers trusted by other top companies globally. We can deploy temporary drivers across many client sectors, including logistics, manufacturing, retail, and mining.
MASA excels in providing temporary drivers for hire, so all you have to do is sit back and let them handle the recruitment of highly skilled individuals with extensive knowledge on-site. All MASA drivers have a minimum of three years of real-world experience in diverse environments such as city traffic or off-roading conditions.
This can be an excellent solution for companies with limited or no experience in hiring temporary drivers and don’t want to risk poorly managing staff which could jeopardise operations on-site. Clients must find reliable contractors they trust with their safety standards – temporary drivers are highly skilled and dedicated to the job.
3. Training and induction
Driving specialists like MASA also include mandatory training for all their temporary staff – whether refresher courses or additional qualifications needed by employers (for example, forklift driver qualification). This ensures that your drivers are up to date with the latest rules and regulations and that they are safe and efficiently on-site.
Induction is another vital part of temporary drivers as it ensures that new employees are capable of getting to work and familiar with the site quickly, efficiently, and safely. It is vital to ensure temporary workers have a smooth induction process that includes all necessary equipment such as uniforms, access cards, or other resources needed for specific roles on-site.
This results in a well-organised workforce who are efficient, informed and know what is expected of them. This also ensures that temporary workers are adequately prepared for the job at hand while also providing a safe work environment – both key components when you’re dealing with sensitive assets or hazardous materials.
4. Vetted drivers
Sourcing drivers from the talent pool is only the first step of the hiring process, and by partnering with a leading driving specialist, you can be sure that each driver is adequately screened and vetted before they even step foot on-site.
Hiring the wrong driver can have significant implications on the business, ultimately slowing down operations when needed the most. It’s important to make sure all temporary drivers meet your specific requirements, whether work experience or qualifications – this will help ensure a smooth hire process and more efficient operations on-site.
Proper background and reference checks are necessary to verify that each driver meets the highest standards of driving skills, behaviour, and knowledge.
Temporary driving specialists also run criminal checks on their drivers, which is often a requirement for many clients. This step is crucial when dealing with sensitive assets or hazardous materials because the temporary drivers you employ must be trustworthy and reliable.
5. Flexible solution
The flexibility of temporary drivers allows companies to deal with seasonal changes and maintain operations during high demand. The festive season, for instance, is a hectic period for many companies, and with the best drivers on your team, you can ensure that you finish the year on a high.
Companies should have quick access to temporary drivers for hire who can assist with peak times and meet varying needs and demands when there is an urgent need for more staff.
MASA also offers flexibility in terms of when you need staff members on-site. We understand that some clients may only require temporary staff for a few days while others will demand their services for months at a time.
Ready for your boost?
If you are hiring temporary drivers, look no further than the MASA Specialist Drivers Division. Our team of dedicated and highly-skilled drivers is ready to boost your operations and bring value to your business when you need it the most.
Boosting productivity through temporary outsourcing staff, like our pool of qualified drivers for hire, removes some of the stress of significant seasonal changes or demand peaks on site.
Explore the cost-saving benefits of temporary outsourcing staff by getting in touch with our team today. You can also check out our blog for your dose of expert industry insights.
