Transportation industry seeks new drivers in Norway’s schools

From Kirkenes in the north to Kristiansand in the south, the transportation industry is on a mission to attract young people to become drivers. Over the course of four weeks, representatives from the sector are visiting 40 different locations across the country. “It’s fun! We get to step out of the classroom and the boring subjects,” says Rapolas Astrauskas, a tenth-grade student at Hareid Youth School.

The transportation industry is urgently seeking new talent, citing a significant shortage of drivers. Today, recruitment activities took place at Borgund High School, where both middle and high school students were in attendance.

Rapolas Astrauskas had the chance to tour a snowplow: “It looks pretty fun. You can sleep and stay there,” he said with a smile. He still hasn’t decided on his future educational path, but this event opened new possibilities for him. “This sounds pretty exciting. You get to drive a truck and don’t have to sit in an office being bored. It looks like a lot of fun,” he added.

Trond Brendæ, the manager of the Transport Industry Training Office in Møre and Romsdal, emphasized the challenges the industry faces. “We need between 1,500 to 2,000 new drivers each year, and we can’t meet this demand. Employers are crying out for qualified professionals.”

Brendæ is working to inspire students to consider this career path, assuring them, “This direction guarantees job security for life, along with many opportunities.”

With declining numbers of students choosing this field and fewer international drivers coming to Norway, recruitment efforts are needed to reverse the trend. Christian Sjøholt, a truck driver at Vasto Anlegg, shared his satisfaction with his profession and his hope for more colleagues in the future. “I enjoy driving generally, and being a truck driver is perfect for me. It’s a very pleasant profession,” he stated.