SA bus drivers are IN DEMAND in Ireland. Nearly 100 already hired
· The South African
Dublin Bus has turned to South Africa to help tackle a shortage of drivers, with almost 100 recruits hired in recent months.
The public transport operator’s first recruitment campaign in South Africa has resulted in 93 hires, according to chief people officer Barbara Carroll.
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According to the Irish Times, the new recruits are arriving in Ireland at a rate of about six a week.
The recruitment drive comes as Dublin Bus looks to fill vacancies in the Irish capital caused by staff turnover while expanding its services.
The company employs around 4 650 people, about three-quarters of whom are drivers. Its workforce includes people from roughly 90 different countries. Dublin Bus has previously recruited mechanics from Spain and the Philippines.
Language was an important factor behind the decision to recruit drivers from South Africa.
“[South Africa] is an English-speaking country and there’s a good strong pipeline of drivers,” Carroll said.
South African bus drivers tapped to fill shortage
The South African recruits already hold the licences required to drive buses. Their existing qualifications make the country particularly attractive to Dublin Bus.
“There is certain paperwork they need to do when they’re on the island of Ireland,” Carroll added.
This includes obtaining an Irish residence permit and completing the licence exchange process. Ireland and South Africa have an agreement allowing South African driving licences to be exchanged.
Dublin Bus is working with an organisation in South Africa to vet candidates before they travel to Ireland. Once there, the recruits complete the company’s training programme.
New recruits face longer training
Although the South African drivers already hold the higher category licence needed to operate buses, their training takes a bit longer than that of most new recruits.
Carroll said Dublin Bus carries out additional work to help overseas recruits integrate into the company and assimilate in Ireland.
Drivers arriving from abroad are provided with accommodation, but only for their first four weeks.
“After that, they’re on their own,” Carroll noted.
“So, it’s tough for them. They are on a training rate and they are very focused on getting through the system as quickly as they can.”
The South African recruitment campaign is unlikely to be a one-off. Dublin Bus plans to continue hiring around 200 drivers a year for the foreseeable future.
“There’s a national shortage, but we’re planning to continue the recruitment,” Carroll concluded.