Drivers and mobile plant operators are a homogeneous group, differentiated mainly by the vehicle they use (such as vehicles for road transport, trains, industrial, agricultural or ship MACHINERY). Rapid technological, societal and economic changes are expected to affect the nature of their job tasks, and therefore the skills needed.

Advances in technology, in terms of new tools and software and automation/robots will affect all sub-occupations in this group from different angles:

• plant operators and those handling machines (such as drivers working in WAREHOUSING, forestry or construction) will increasingly be challenged by more advanced/computer-controlled machines and vehicles. Knowledge of and familiarity with new technologies and advanced machines will be critical, as automation increasingly infiltrates warehousing.
• Technological advancements in land transport have already affected commercial transportation; for example, taxi drivers have adopted GPS devices and mobile applications that improve the client’s experience. Automation of vehicles (e.g. railway brake, signal and switch operators) have already limited the role of some drivers. Although they are still at planning phase, automated/self-driving cars are expected to FLOURISH in the next decade, substantially changing the skills profile of taxi and other commercial vehicles drivers.

However, more developments are UNDERWAY, expected to revolutionise transport and mobility: the ‘platooning in mobility’ will change the role of drivers. Truck platooning regards “a number of trucks equipped with state-of-the-art driving support systems – one closely following the other. This forms a platoon with the trucks driven by smart technology, and mutually communicating.” Platooning is expected to improve traffic safety, regulate traffic flows, and reduce fuel consumption through constant speed cruise. Truck drivers will therefore need new skills in engineering and IT to be able to drive these “smart trucks”.

• The strong rise in demand for environmentally sustainable mobility will emphasize the importance of green skills. Implications for the role of drivers and mobile plant operators can be expected both in terms of the type of vehicles/machines they use and how EFFICIENTLY they use them. For example, commercial vehicle drivers are now required to monitor their driving skills and drive more efficiently. Environmental considerations also influence trends in employment. The demand for bus and train drivers could increase as a consequence of efforts to promote and encourage the use of public transport to lower emissions.

Drivers and mobile plant operators are a homogeneous group, differentiated mainly by the vehicle they use (such as vehicles for road transport, trains, industrial, agricultural or ship machinery). Rapid technological, societal and economic changes are expected to affect the nature of their job tasks, and therefore the skills needed.

Advances in technology, in terms of new tools and software and automation/robots will affect all sub-occupations in this group from different angles:

However, more developments are underway, expected to revolutionise transport and mobility: the ‘platooning in mobility’ will change the role of drivers. Truck platooning regards “a number of trucks equipped with state-of-the-art driving support systems – one closely following the other. This forms a platoon with the trucks driven by smart technology, and mutually communicating.” Platooning is expected to improve traffic safety, regulate traffic flows, and reduce fuel consumption through constant speed cruise. Truck drivers will therefore need new skills in engineering and IT to be able to drive these “smart trucks”.