Mentoring in Transport and Logistics Mentoring in Transport and Logistics
How transport and logistics companies can use mentoring to pass on know-how and keep crews safe.
What this presentation covers
What this presentation covers
What this presentation covers
An aging workforce
Land transport relies on older workers
In 2024, 2.33 million of 5.76 million EU land transport workers were 50 or older.
- All ages 5.76 million5.76 million
- Aged 50 to 74 2.33 million2.33 million
Safety in transport
Transport is second for fatal accidents
After construction, transport and storage had the most fatal work accidents in the EU.
Passing on know-how
Make knowledge flow both ways
People learned more from older colleagues but shared less with them.
- Routes and depots from senior staff
- Safety habits from senior staff
- Apps and new systems from newer staff
- Fresh questions from newer staff
Before experts retire
Pair successors with experts early
Start each pairing well before the expert leaves, ideally a year ahead.
- List who retires in the next five years
- Name what only they know
- Pick a successor for each
- Write down faults, fixes and near misses
What wears drivers down
Listen to what wears drivers down
Long-haul drivers named loneliness, health worries, lack of respect and regulation.
- Loneliness and time away from family
- Health and health support
- Lack of respect
- Regulations
Mentors for new drivers
Give new drivers an experienced mentor
A mentor who has driven the same routes can talk about rest, routes and family life.
New pilots in training
Flight hours alone do not predict success
In US regional airlines, new pilots with 1,500 or fewer hours did well in training.
Crew resource management
Check whether training changes behavior
A review of 28 crew training programs found positive reactions but mixed effects on behavior.
- Reactions mostly positive
- Learning mixed
- Behavior mixed
- Safety results not yet shown
One track per crew type
Run one track per crew type
Match drivers, rail crews and pilots with mentors from their own job.
- New drivers with a senior driver, first 90 days
- Rail crews with an experienced driver or conductor
- First officers with a captain outside their roster
- Future supervisors with a depot or base manager
Sources
The research behind this presentation
- Eurostat (2026) Employed persons by detailed economic activity (NACE Rev. 2 two-digit level), lfsa_egan22d Eurostat database, EU Labour Force Survey, updated 10 September 2026
- Eurostat (2026) Accidents at work statistics Eurostat, Statistics Explained, data extracted September 2026
- Burmeister, A., Fasbender, U. & Deller, J. (2018) Being perceived as a knowledge sender or knowledge receiver: A multistudy investigation of the effect of age on knowledge transfer Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 91(3), 518-545
- Williams, D. F., Thomas, S. P. & Liao-Troth, S. (2017) The truck driver experience: Identifying psychological stressors from the voice of the driver Transportation Journal, 56(1), 54-76
- Smith, G. M., Smith, M. O., Techau, T. E. & Hight, M. P. (2020) Pilot Source Study 2018: Five years after the FOQ Rule. New-hire first officer backgrounds and their performance in US regional airline training Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering, 9(1), 16
- Salas, E., Wilson, K. A., Burke, C. S. & Wightman, D. C. (2006) Does crew resource management training work? An update, an extension, and some critical needs Human Factors, 48(2), 392-412
Capture know-how before it retires
Pair every expert close to retirement with a successor this year.