During an event held in Rabat, Morocco, as part of the international Thamm Plus project, Iru participated with a presentation focused on the shortage of industrial vehicle drivers within the European Union, proposing the regulation of qualified personnel recruitment from outside the EU. The organisation is already working to establish pathways that allow European transport companies to hire foreign professionals with the necessary qualifications. Among the key initiatives promoted by Iru is the Skilled Driver Mobility for Europe (SDM4EU) project, funded by the EU through the Migration Partnership Facility. This programme aims to facilitate the recruitment of drivers while ensuring high levels of training and professional certification.
In parallel, Iru has conducted the Steer2EU study, commissioned by the European Commission, to analyse the employment conditions of non-European drivers in the EU. The research assessed professional qualification systems in twenty non-EU countries and identified regulatory requirements such as visas, work permits, and certifications necessary for foreign drivers to operate legally in Europe. According to Patrick Philipp, director of certification and standards at Iru, the international mobility of drivers represents a mutually beneficial solution. "We must address two interconnected challenges: the chronic shortage of drivers in the EU and the lack of professional qualification standards in many third countries. By aligning global standards, we can reduce the driver shortfall while simultaneously improving training systems in partner countries."
Iru asserts that the implementation of the ECMT Quality Charter, which recognises Iru Academy professional qualifications as a benchmark standard, is already demonstrating the effectiveness of a harmonised approach to driver training and certification. To ensure that driver recruitment from third countries occurs transparently and securely, Iru is working with governments to develop advanced examination methodologies and strengthen trust in certification documents. Through the Examiner platform, Iru collaborates with government and certification bodies to assess and validate the skills of road transport professionals according to international standards. Furthermore, with the RoadMasters programme, Iru helps companies select the most suitable drivers and monitor their performance after recruitment.
