Initiative to Establish Safe and Legal Mobility Channels for Professional Drivers

A new initiative funded by the European Union aims to tackle the significant labor shortage in the road transport sector by creating safe and legal channels for skilled and certified professional drivers from non-EU countries, specifically Morocco and Egypt. This program is part of a broader collaboration aimed at developing talent and fostering mobility within the EU.

The International Road Transport Union (IRU) is supporting the project, known as Skilled Driver Mobility for Europe II (SDM4EU II), as a technical partner. The primary goal is to establish demand-driven labor mobility pathways for professional drivers between North Africa and the EU.

600 Professional Drivers from Morocco and Egypt

This ambitious project seeks to train 600 professional drivers in Egypt and Morocco, with the intention of facilitating the integration of one-third of them into a labor mobility process that will allow them to work in Italy and Romania. The increasing demand for road transport and logistics services across Europe, combined with an aging workforce that is retiring faster than it can be replaced, underscores the urgency of this initiative.

Attracting more young individuals and women to the industry is crucial; however, such measures alone will not suffice to close the existing labor gap. The SDM4EU II program also aims to enhance the qualifications and job prospects for professional drivers in Egypt and Morocco. Patrick Philipp, the Director of Certification and Standards at the IRU, stated, "The Skilled Driver Mobility 4 EU II project offers a clearly beneficial solution for both parties, as it helps Italy and Romania address their driver shortages while enhancing the skills and employment prospects of professional drivers in Egypt and Morocco."

From the pool of 600 drivers, 200 (100 from each corridor) will receive assistance in accessing job opportunities within the EU. Selected drivers from Egypt will be prepared for employment in Romania, while candidates from Morocco will connect with employers in Italy. Ongoing support will be provided to the drivers both before and after their relocation to their destination countries, with IRU members, FAI, and UNTRR playing vital roles in facilitating their integration.

As reported by diariodetransporte.com.