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Drivers leaving New Zealand shores for big money overseas; it's a topic that's raised it head around the truck stops again.
Why is it that certain sections of the industry see this as such a threat?
Todd Blackadder did it.
John Mitchell also.
In fact most of the recent ex All Blacks have done it.
Russell Coutts did it and Brad Butterworth too
Kiri Te Kanawa
Ron Brierley
Rachel Hunter
Graham Lowe
Even my daughter did it. She's a nurse
Teachers do it
Builders
Bakers
And Candlestick makers
New Zealanders love to go overseas for the big "OE"
What they find over there, as a rule, is that they are an extremely sought after asset for the company that they work for, well paid with lots of little extras that you don't get at home. But most importantly, they learn how things are done in their new environment and add a little bit of Kiwi to it.
Did you know there is a trucking company in Arkansas, which values it's Kiwi drivers so much, they put a half dozen sheep in a paddock next to each of their transport yards, so that the "Boys" would have something to throw in the hangi on their days off.
What the company found was that the "can do" attitude rubbed off on the rest of the team, and staff turnover dropped to almost nil, when these crazy Kiwi's joined the team.
In England, I know a Transport Operator with 70 odd trucks who will employ any Kiwi he can get his hands on.
His reason for this attitude, "They get the bloody job done, boy"
So what happens to these drivers when they come home to New Zealand?
Most of them slot back into the industry, when you're hooked on diesel, you're hooked on diesel. Some become owner-drivers, and some buy or build a transport company. But every one of them adds to the richness and distinctiveness of our country
They add the ideas and innovations they have seen, to the New Zealand transport industry on a daily basis.
But what happens back in NZ while these adventurers are off for a couple of years experience in the big wide world. They get vilified and castigated. How dare they leave our industry short of experienced staff.
A month or two ago, I was rung by a local transport manager who was looking for a class five driver, he would need to start at 2.30am I was told, and would need to be able operate a chiller unit as the freight was temperature controlled. After 11 am he would swap trailers, and move containers in and out of port.
"How much are you paying," I asked
"$9.50 per Hour"
I've known this man for many a year, and he took my sarcastic laughter very well.
His only reply was "I know its rubbish, but that's all the boss will pay"
You can probably tell I didn't send him anyone.
While the attitude remains within some companies in NZ, that drivers are just labourers with an HT licence and should be bought for as little a possible, then our best and brightest will always go overseas to make their fortune.
Our drivers are highly respected and valued right round the world and are rewarded accordingly.
So what happens within the All Blacks when an old hand decides its time to make some money overseas? The next shining star steps up and although he doesn't quite fill the boots straight away, in time and with good coaching the team as a whole is invigorated with the new blood.
What can we do within the Transport Industry when faced with a similar problem?
Build an even bigger, better nursery of young up and comers, and develop an even better reputation within the worldwide trucking industry of having the finest drivers in the world.
These men and women are not lost to the industry; they are away at finishing school rounding off their education and making a buck while they do it.
And I for one wish them all the best.
Well that's "Just an old trucker's point of view"
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