Driver training in first-level vocational schools in Poland is increasingly losing popularity, with several schools discontinuing programs. Tomasz Rejek, president of the Pomorskie Association of Road Carriers, expresses concern over the closure of classes preparing students for the driver-mechanic profession, citing recent shutdowns by Gdańsk's automotive school and plans for Słupsk's Mechanical and Logistics School to follow suit. This trend is alarming as it comes at a time when the trucking industry is already facing a significant shortage of drivers.

Just a few years ago, Poland had around 150 schools offering driver training, which is now projected to dwindle to a mere handful in the next 2-3 years if the current trends continue. Despite the growing demand for drivers with tens of thousands of vacancies, the government and educational institutions seem to overlook the predicament as the initiative launched in 2016 to enhance driver education quietly falters. This combination of decreasing programs and increasing industry demand could significantly impact the logistics and transportation sectors in Poland in the near future.

Additionally, amid this educational decline, transport fees are projected to increase next month for senders, regardless of whether their vehicles use diesel or LNG. This further complicates the landscape for businesses relying on road transport, as they face higher costs while struggling with a depleting workforce and a shrinking pool of new drivers entering the profession. Without immediate action to revitalize driver training programs, the future of transport logistics in Poland could be at stake.