A leading haulier says Ireland's obsession with third-level education is hurting their sector.
It's as the sector is struggling to attract new HGV drivers for a job that can bring long hours and difficult conditions.
The Irish Road Haulage Association has launched a new traineeship programme to entice new drivers onto the roads.
Speaking to Beat News, Vice President Paul Jackman says parents and teachers are too single-minded.
"That's their default position is third level, there's just no consideration given to anything else, and if you look at the likes of Germany - at 16 you can then choose to go the vocational route, you don't have to go the academic route whereas we are forcing everyone to go the academic route up to when they are nearly 18 and we are leaving the trades behind and manual work behind - and that suits an awful lot of people."
Waterford-native Jackman also says their new scheme is an attractive proposition for young people
"This traineeship is going national, it's around 6 months long and you come out with all the tickets, all the licenses, all the CPC cars so you are ready to rock and roll."
"The IRHA is involved with it so you will be linked up with a haulier doing the programme and your work placement will be with a haulier and there after you're fit to go into the workplace and I think it's actually something you people will enjoy."
