Spain approved a EUR 3,000 subsidy on November 11 to help aspiring truck and bus drivers obtain professional licenses, as the country is struggling to fill over 35,000 truck and bus driver vacancies.
The measure comes as 426,000 unfilled driver positions across Europe and millions worldwide, with companies warning of supply-chain risks.
Drivers cited long hours, low pay without overtime, and costly training (over EUR 4,000 for a license) as the main deterrents for young people, Spanish newspaper “SUR” reported.
The Spanish subsidy removed a major barrier, and around 35,000 Moroccans are currently enrolled in training in preparation for the subsidies program.
To qualify for the aid, applicants must complete a technical certificate in road transportation or be in their second year of training, and also obtain the CAP professional qualification before accessing the C or D licenses.
Moroccan observers noted that the combination of job stability, better pay, and training largely covered by the Spanish state makes the sector particularly attractive.
However, several industry organizations argued that dependence on foreign labor reflects deteriorating working conditions that drive Spaniards out of the profession.
