Common thing: Wesermarsch bus company fight against a shortage of skilled workers!

Common thing: Wesermarsch bus company fight against a shortage of skilled workers!

In the Wesermarsch, various bus companies have found an innovative solution to the ongoing shortage of skilled workers. Through the use of social media such as Facebook and Instagram, they launched a common campaign that was particularly effective and resulted in numerous applications. This is an impressive cooperation that cannot be observed in the industry.

In order to meet the challenges in employee acquisition, four of the district's five transport companies connected to recruit new drivers with the support of the administration. "Nothing combines more than a common enemy," explained Ulf Pavel, a representative of the GERDE's trip, and thus referred to the shortage of skilled workers, which affects entire public transport. This campaign was therefore also necessary to secure the future mobility structure of the region.

increasing number of applicants

The joint efforts already show concrete results: After the campaign, the company Gerdes Travel has recorded the greatest rush of applications in years. Newly reported contacts that represent potential drivers amount to 45 - a number that exceeds the sum of the past three years. In addition, all new applicants come from other regions, which indicates that the campaign has had an effect beyond the local borders.

Particularly noteworthy of this campaign is to avoid bureaucratic hurdles when applying. The companies decided to do without traditional application documents such as cover letters and résumés. This meant that many people who might not have accessed could now apply for a job. The campaign is aimed at various target groups: from those who already have a bus driver's license up to interested parties without any previous knowledge. The latter also has the option of being hired because the training costs are covered by the company.

public support and cost distribution

The financial aspects also play a role in recruitment. The training costs amount to around 20,000 euros, which are borne proportionately by the employment agency and the company. If an applicant comes out of unemployment, the agency will even cover the full costs. This model not only promotes new job offers, but also offers less experienced workers a chance of starting the job.

The cooperation between the transport companies is also shown in the number of applications: a total of 168 applications were received, and 32 interviews were held. The first positive results are already shown: The first bus driver has already been hired, while two more contracts are in the pipeline and there are nine further commitments.

The district, represented by District Administrator Stephan Siefken, praised this unusual association of competitors as "extraordinary" and emphasized the need to rethink. "The traditional ways to recruit no longer draw," said Siefken. A sustainable and optimized range of local public transport is therefore at stake if no changes are made.

This cooperation is not only a positive example for the transport companies in the Wesermarsch, but could also serve as a model for other regions that have similar challenges in the field of securing skilled workers. Such initiatives help to put public transport on a future -proof basis.

For more information on this topic, see the current reporting on www.nwzonline.de .