The real potential of technology lies within its conscious application

29.05.2024

Innovative technologies improve our lives. There is no doubt about this. Technology is developing rapidly, but, in reality, this alone is not enough. In order to actually operate more efficiently, safely, and sustainably, it is important to know how to use technology properly. Conscious application of technology helps to create competitive advantages at the level of a single company, and also ensure environmental, economic, and social development. Such philosophy, changes, and reshaping are also required in the transport sector. The Autosert Centre of Competence can serve as your partner here.

It is important to develop the awareness of people towards sustainable thinking

Road transport, which is largely based on internal combustion engines, is one of the greatest culprits when it comes to CO2 emissions and it is clear that we can no longer operate sustainably while ignoring the environmental impacts. We must set sustainable economy as our target and work in this direction. We warmly welcome technological developments characteristic to a sustainable transport system, such as electric vehicles, loading solutions, and telematics technologies. Transport companies pay more and more attention to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and to sustainable warehousing. Technology has allowed us to automatise and measure many processes and to increase their efficiency.

However, modern technologies and novel transport solutions alone may not be a sufficient contribution to ensure the welfare of the environment.

At the end of the day, our success depends on the actions and decisions of people.

We believe firmly that in addition to developing business models and reducing carbon emissions, it is also important to develop the awareness of people towards sustainable thinking. Only then will we be able to really harness technology in the interests of the environment, while also ensuring economic and social welfare.

Partners from the fields of transport, technology, and human resource development must be involved in the development of a sustainable transport system, cross-sectoral cooperation is important. In order to change the transport sector, we must increasingly look outside of our main activity, join our experiences, knowledge, and potential, and develop new services.

Developmental leap through conscious learning

Competence is increased for efficient use of technology via a modern, practical, and meaningful training programme. Those who have completed the programme are not only able to cope with modern technology, but also see new opportunities in using the technology.

Technology without knowledgeable and skilful people is half of the solution.

The outcome lies in the synergy of the developers and users.

In the case of truck and bus drivers, the motivation system created at the company is also important. There are various different technologies developed for EcoDriving, but if a driver is not motivated to use them, the owner of the company will be angry and there will be no result whatsoever, with the expensive technology purchased to save money failing to even earn back the investment.

Thanks to the training, it is possible to create development from the perspective of the business targets of the company, as well as soft values. In addition to increasing their technological competence, the training also improves the self-esteem of the employees thanks to being familiar with modern technology. By bringing innovative training programmes together with modern technology, we can create an environment for people where they feel involved and important.

People must control technology, not vice versa.

Just as any kind of controlling, controlling modern technology also calls for modern skills.

The people whose work is meaningful are happy to think along and make suggestions and the feedback received in this manner can in turn be used to develop technological solutions further. The world of transport is changing rapidly and tight, substantive, and targeted cooperation between the developers and users of technology is required to keep up.

We at Autosert as trainers have also always prioritised acquiring and sharing new knowledge. We value changing with the times and constant development. We are looking for new opportunities and cooperate with international organisations of our sector, as well as with the technology sector. Today, we have achieved the position of the market leader in the field of training heavy machinery operators in Estonia and our cooperation partners hold our commitment and willingness to accept innovations in a high regard.

Lenno Põder, the founder and head of the company, has been dubbed a ‘new industry shaper’ by the International Road Transport Union (IRU). We change and shape the transport sector with commitment, constantly, and eagerly. It has been noticed.

We also wish to have our say in the development of policies and legislation and in the allocation of investments.

We admit that even our training system sometimes lacks competence for the implementation of modern technologies today. The knowledge of our instructors also requires improvement. We take this need seriously, see opportunities in this, and wish to create our own developmental leap here. For this purpose, we prioritise research and development, but also certainly substantial cooperation with technology companies. Our ambition is to be more than just a refresher training provider, we wish to be a promoter, spokesman, and pathfinder of the sector.

The new era calls for new drivers

An IRU report reveals that the problem of a shortage of drivers is substantial in Europe. According to a study, the shortage of drivers will triple by 2026, amounting to 2 million vacant positions. This will affect 50% of all freight transport operations of Europe and transporting of millions of passengers. More than a half of the haulage companies in Europe cannot expand their business, as they are unable to find skilled workers due to the shortage of truck drivers. What is even more worrying though, is the fact highlighted in the latest IRU report, according to which the ratio of vacant truck driver positions is higher in Estonia than in any other country. As much as 16% of the positions remain vacant. We have a real problem and unfortunately the situation is only deteriorating.

Without qualified drivers, the European economy, social mobility, and the climate plan will grind to a halt. Autosert is already taking steps towards potential solutions.

We see potential for dealing with the shortage of drivers in attracting women and young people into the career of professional driver.

For this purpose, however, this profession must be made more attractive, as well as more easily accessible, by lowering the minimum age limit, and subsidising the fees for category training and vocational training. Ensuring safe working conditions and creating well-equipped resting areas are equally important. Achieving a constant inflow of new drivers also calls for an engaging and exciting training process, high-quality and modern working environment, and openness and preparedness of transport companies to accept employees with modern expectations and values.

The IRU study also indicates that female drivers must be motivated and encouraged. Autosert is doing this constantly through various different videos and messages. We cover the background of the job of a driver and increase the awareness of the people of Estonia to ensure that young people and women are not afraid, but believe that they can cope with this job. Many young drivers who come to train with us say that they were following us on Facebook and on our Youtube channel AUTOSERT TV and felt that they wish to get their licence, pass the vocational training, and become professional drivers.

We measure development

How to ensure that the training programmes provided are actually useful for the company, the society, and the environment, and also support the development of individuals? In the near future, we will be launching an assessment system to measure the knowledge and skills of drivers in cooperation with the IRU. While we have only been able to assess the development of those who have completed the training on the basis of exam results, the special assessment system will allow us to measure the development of the knowledge and skills of an individual and the result of the training in a more comprehensive manner. This will in turn provide an opportunity to improve and update our training programmes and train the instructors of Autosert into assessors certified pursuant to the standards of the IRU.

We see this as a great opportunity to yet again achieve a new level in the quality of our teaching.

Information about the implementation of the new assessment system at Autosert will also travel to other regions and countries through the IRU. As a result of this, we will develop a high-quality training hub for the entire European transport sector, which will also be providing training services to employees from other countries. We are already training people from the Middle East in cooperation with our partners today and prioritise developing the capacity for training people from more exotic third countries and for worldwide employment services and labour reallocation at our company, pursuant to the current needs of the transport sector.

Further together

We are looking for a strategic partner or partners who would think like us to help us take new knowledge with technological opportunities to managers. It is easy for us to do and pilot this in Estonia where we have an extensive market share. Estonia is a small country and Autosert is a market leader here with the largest loyal customer base. In cooperation with us, it is possible to quickly implement, test, assess, and take into use new technological solutions. There is no need for creating something from scratch, marketing, or competing with others.

There are many examples from the world of growth and developmental leaps having been achieved through cooperation. We can support this cooperation with our most important values: market share, customer base, experience, and people. And if the system created in cooperation works, it can be expended to other countries and larger markets. Estonia may be seen as an ideal testing and development hub for undertaking new projects.

Without involving people, all efforts made to develop technology remain merely a half of the solution.

If you are interested in cooperation, please do not hesitate to contact us!!