Bus driver shortage: AFTRAL training center expands near Troyes

“The needs are great. We have just opened a new training session with AFTRAL (Education and Training in Transport and Logistics) to attract new people into the profession of passenger drivers”: this is joined by the observation of Stefan Wiecek, Training Master at TCAT (Troy Area Public Transport). companies in the industry. Those who are used to traveling by bus in the Troyes (Aube) area know that delays or even cancellations have been common for several weeks. Lack of work, which increases the daily workload of drivers and ultimately leads to absenteeism.

Therefore, recruitment becomes urgent. “We have been cooperating with the training center AFTRAL for several years on our further training and apprenticeship contracts,” explains Stefan Wiecek. “The goal is to be able to attract future drivers to urban passenger transport by obtaining a driving license. With training on road manners, greeting customers in vehicles, including wheelchair users. »

TCAT does not require a diploma: “You must have a Class D license to drive a heavy passenger vehicle. Then mandatory minimum initial training to obtain a professional license for all passenger vehicles,” points out Stefan Wiecek.

3000 trainees per year

AFTRAL is a privileged partner. And the training center feels this demand from companies every day. “It’s a lot of work,” confirms Florent Dufour, site director in Torvilliers. We have no candidates, but there is no shortage of companies ready to hire them, both in the field of logistics and in the field of transport, including ambulances. » The third building, with an area of ​​more than 3,000 m2, can accommodate offices in good condition, as well as a logistics area with an overhead crane, without mixing with other formations. The issue is safety first.

Here AFTRAL trains 3,000 trainees per year under the supervision of 25 instructors on 5 trucks, numerous forklifts and therefore now in 3 buildings on an area of ​​over 30,000 m2. “It’s like working in real life. We train professionals under the guidance of supervisors who are experts in the field of logistics and transport. This allows us to be real with the equipment we encounter in companies,” explains Florent Dufour.

From CAP to BA+2 on a work-study basis, the center is responsible for sourcing companies for the benefit of candidates. All that remains is to seduce the last one. “The unemployment rate is decreasing,” says Loïc Charbonnier, CEO of the AFTRAL group. “We also need to get people who are a little further away from employment to qualify. This requires mobilization and support, which we also want to carry out. Companies also expect soft skills. »

RSA Beneficiary Plan

The request, which echoes the measures voted by the Council of the Department of Ob. “We have developed an ambitious plan for new RSA beneficiaries,” adds Anne-Marie Selz, vice president of Aube. Every year we have 700 newcomers. Together with the consular chambers and our partners, we are going to conduct a 21-hour diagnosis of these people, find out their personal and professional situation, barriers to employment, be able to organize their return to work, and also work with the economic world so that companies can find employees. »