South African bus drivers are increasingly relocating to Ireland as transport companies across Europe struggle with a growing shortage of professional drivers.

Dublin Bus, Ireland’s state-owned bus operator, has been actively recruiting qualified drivers from South Africa, with new recruits reportedly joining the company at a rate of about six per week. The company has already hired 93 South African drivers as it seeks to fill vacant positions.

The recruitment drive comes as the European Union faces a severe shortage of commercial bus and truck drivers. The shortage has been linked to an ageing workforce and a lack of younger people entering the transport industry.

South African drivers are considered attractive recruits because they are already qualified professionals and are familiar with driving on the left side of the road, as is the case in Ireland. Their qualifications can also be exchanged under existing licensing arrangements.

According to reports, the European road transport sector is facing an estimated shortage of about 500,000 professional drivers. With the EU’s domestic workforce unable to meet the growing demand, transport companies are increasingly looking beyond Europe to recruit skilled workers.

The growing movement of South African drivers to Ireland highlights the increasing demand for skilled African workers in international labour markets and the opportunities created by global labour shortages