Temporary Drivers: The Value of Licensing, Experience and Risk Mitigation
A 2020 sector study on logistics in South Africa showed that 77.3% of all land freight is transported on roads. The countries’ logistics sector is the most sophisticated in Africa, yet many organisations still struggle with running an efficient and cost-effective operation. Proper logistics expertise are crucial for companies looking to stay ahead in their respective industries, and partnering with a reputable driving specialist can deliver significant competitive advantages.
At MASA, we bring two essential levels of value to your operation: licensing and experience. On the surface, these two factors may seem obvious; it is easy to check if a driver has the correct licensing and experience for the operation.
However, how can you guarantee that these details are correct and that the driver behind the wheel will get the job done?
You could invest in a permanent team of drivers, but some critical challenges and risks come with running an in-house logistics operation. It is essential to ensure that your drivers are appropriately licensed and experienced as they are your first line of defence against loss.
It is also your responsibility as an employer to minimise operational risks while focusing on the core of your business. This is easier said than done, hence why the country’s leading companies opt for an outsourced driving solution.
Benefits of temporary drivers
By working with a driving specialist, you benefit from vetted, quality drivers ready to be mobilised as and when needed. This vetting process makes an outsourced solution the cost-effective alternative to having on-site employees and permanent fleets for your operations.
There is also a massive advantage to working with drivers specifically trained to understand your business and bring expertise to your operation. Temporary drivers can identify your operational needs, making them an ideal choice for additional support.
In our earlier article, you can learn more about the benefits of an outsourced driving solution. For now, let us explore further the value of partnering with a driving specialist and leveraging their services.
Vetting and Hiring
Partnering with MASA gives your company access to drivers through an expert vetting and hiring process. We have a pool of qualified, reliable and experienced drivers who have been background checked, trained and tested, so you can rest assured you are getting professional and dedicated staff.
MASA’s core speciality is recruitment and labour broking, so you can rest assured knowing that we apply the same rigorous hiring methods in our driving specialist division. We also provide strict driver testing programmes to maintain our high standards and run essential background checks to verify the licensing and experience of our drivers.
Background Checks
Temporary driving specialists like MASA verify background references, license and experience, and criminal checks to ensure that your temporary drivers are of the highest calibre.
Licensing and Experience
Contractual logistics operations require licences depending on the type of transported goods or machinery used in transport; however, many companies do not have access to all the necessary licence types.
All MASA drivers have a minimum of three years of real-world driving experience, with licensing and training with:
- Code 8
- Code 10
- Code 11
- Code 14
- Hazchem
- Forklift drivers
- Reach truck drivers
- Bendi drivers
- Long haul drivers and more
Each of these licenses requires a certain level of training and experience to operate the respective vehicles. Temporary drivers can reduce the licensing burden and ensure that your business is compliant with the legislation regarding the transportation of goods or machinery during transport operations, regardless of type.
Reference Checks
To ensure that all drivers are of the highest calibre, it is essential to run reference checks and verify their past performance that might not come up during an interview.
This part of the vetting process can protect your company from potential problems in the future by giving you a more in-depth overview of the experience and characteristics of your temporary drivers and whether they’ll be a good fit for your company.
Criminal checks
Partnering with a professional driving specialist can also mitigate operational risk through criminal records checks. Temporary drivers are subject to stringent background verification screenings in addition to reference and experience verification.
Criminal records can be notoriously difficult to check; many companies struggle to authenticate information on criminal record checks due to issues of language translation, varying national legislation, or incomplete databases. Temporary driving specialists like MASA go through extensive criminal record checking, including local police verification.
Risk Mitigation
A reliable driving specialist hires temporary drivers trained to identify operational risks, such as driving in hazardous weather conditions or at night (when fatigue is a significant concern). Temporary drivers also receive training on how best to assist you with all aspects of work carried out while on site.
Beyond mitigating risk through driver training and vetting, reputable driving specialists like MASA offer insurance protection against accidents. Companies have reduced liabilities with an outsourced driving solution and less stress knowing that CCMA and other regulations will be applied if a conflict arises.
Temporary drivers can also help your company recover from operational mishaps through speedy interventions and crisis management strategies.
More value for you
Ultimately, temporary drivers can be a valuable addition to your company’s resources and help you operate with greater efficiency, safety and flexibility. Make sure that your outsourced drivers offer a comprehensive solution when it comes to licensing and the comprehensive vetting and hiring process.
Visit our website to learn more about MASA’s Driver Specialist Division and what we can do for you. If you are looking for a reliable partner and supplier of temporary drivers for hire, contact us today.
