The Mainz personnel service provider Capa aims to address the ongoing driver shortage in German road freight transport with a new recruitment model. According to the company, it will now also place professional drivers from third countries such as Morocco—and provides a complete training package that includes all necessary qualification steps.
Since 2010, Capa has specialized in the recruitment, training, and integration of qualified bus and truck drivers. Until now, the company has worked exclusively with applicants from the European Union. Now it is responding to a changed situation:
“The recruitment potentials within the EU are nearing their end,” explains Capa Managing Director Bernd Albrecht.
Countries like Spain or Portugal have stabilized economically and now need their drivers themselves.
Eastern European countries of origin could also soon break away as a source of labor. If the war in Ukraine ends, many refugees are expected to return to their homeland. This development would significantly strain the driver market not only in Germany but also in Poland. Albrecht warns of the consequences:
“This scenario would have devastating consequences for the German driver market.”
Against this backdrop, Capa has begun recruiting drivers from outside the EU. The focus is initially on Morocco. According to the company, many applicants from the North African country quickly learn the German language. At the same time, Capa points out the more complex requirements: driver's licenses from Morocco are not valid in Germany, and the necessary visa process is more complicated than within the EU.
In order to reduce obstacles, Capa has developed a modular recruitment and training package that can be used as a plug-and-play solution. Capa handles the entire process – from pre-selection of suitable candidates to qualification and arrival in Germany. All training modules, including the basic qualification according to the Professional Driver Qualification Act (BKrFQG), the driving license, and the driver card, are completed at a central location in Germany.
Interested entrepreneurs should be able to get to know their future employees at an early stage. The introduction takes place either online or at personal applicant days on site in Morocco. A preparatory German course, as well as the theoretical basic qualification and initial driver's license training, take place before entry. Practical training is completed in Germany.
According to Capa, the training lasts a total of about 12 to 16 weeks. For entrepreneurs, a planning period of around 26 to 36 weeks from contract signing to deployment in Germany is required. For drivers who are already in training, the lead time is reduced to approximately 18 weeks.
Upon completion, graduates have a German driving license in classes B and C, with the optional CE, as well as a first aid course and a driver card for the digital tachograph. For bus drivers, classes B and D, with the optional DE, are offered.
With the offer, Capa targets transport companies seeking a long-term and plannable solution in light of the challenging personnel situation. According to a press release, a large transport company from southern Germany is among the first customers to recruit drivers from Morocco with Capa's support.
