Walloon government job seekers resource Le Forem is looking to hire over 300 bus and coach drivers, the company announced on 13 July at a press event at the Mornimont vehicle training centre, near Jemeppe-sur-Sambre.
The push comes as the Walloon government is attempting to slash the shortage of coach and bus drivers in the region. Almost a third of drivers in the industry are over the age of 50 years old. Le Forem is offering training places at two of its five centres from the start of the academic year in Mornimont and Estaimpuis. Those interested in applying can attend informational seminars on 10 August and 18 August.
“Compared to 2021, Le Forem notes an increased demand on the job market for bus and coach drivers. The number of jobs advertised on Le Forem website during the first half of 2022 is already close to the annual trend of 2021,” the organisation said.
Many employers in the industry intend to entice job seekers with favourable contracts. According to Le Forem, around 75% of employers offer permanent contracts to their employees.
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“The approximately 300 offers mainly concern school transport, companies specialising in tourism, shuttles to airports, and TEC subcontractors. The TEC has its own recruitment network,” Yannick Scohy, trainer at Mornimont, told Belgian media RTL Info.
The training programme promises to offer a comprehensive one-year-long training to new recruits, including theory instruction, use of simulators, and other training from qualified instructors. By the end of the course, prospective coach drivers will gain a D driving licence, a certificate of professional aptitude, and all documents needed to work as a bus or coach driver.
