Dublin Bus has recruited almost 100 bus drivers from South Africa as the transport operator seeks to address ongoing staffing needs while continuing to expand its services.
The recruitment initiative is the company’s first major drive focused on South Africa and has so far resulted in 93 drivers being hired. The new employees are arriving in Ireland gradually, with approximately six drivers being brought into the country each week.
The phased arrival is intended to make it easier to manage immigration procedures, licence requirements and the training process before the recruits begin working across the Dublin Bus network.
South Africa Offers Strong Pool of Qualified Drivers
One of the main advantages of recruiting in South Africa is that the successful applicants already hold licences that qualify them to drive buses. There is also an agreement allowing relevant South African driving licences to be exchanged in Ireland.
Once they arrive, the recruits must complete several administrative requirements, including obtaining their Irish residence permits and completing the necessary licence exchange procedures.
English being widely spoken in South Africa was another factor that made the country attractive for recruitment. Dublin Bus has also worked with an organisation responsible for carrying out checks and vetting candidates before they travel to Ireland.
Despite already being experienced and appropriately licensed, the South African recruits still undergo Dublin Bus training before starting work. Additional attention is being given to helping the new employees integrate into both the company and life in Ireland.
Accommodation Provided During First Weeks
New drivers arriving from abroad receive accommodation for their first four weeks in Ireland. After this initial period, however, employees are responsible for securing their own housing.
The recruits receive a training rate while completing the required programme, creating an incentive to progress through the process and begin their regular duties as quickly as possible.
The South African recruitment campaign forms part of a broader international hiring strategy. Dublin Bus has previously looked overseas for other skilled employees, including mechanics recruited from countries such as Spain and the Philippines.
The company currently employs approximately 4,650 people, with drivers accounting for around three-quarters of its workforce. Its staff also represent a highly international workforce, with employees originating from roughly 90 countries.
Recruitment Expected to Continue
Dublin Bus does not expect its demand for new drivers to disappear in the near future. Staff turnover, combined with the expansion of public transport services, means the operator needs a steady supply of new recruits.
The shortage is also not limited to Dublin Bus, with the wider transport sector facing difficulties attracting enough qualified drivers.
The company is therefore planning to maintain an ongoing recruitment programme, with a target of bringing in approximately 200 new drivers each year for the foreseeable future.
International recruitment is expected to remain one of the options available to Dublin Bus as it works to maintain staffing levels and meet growing operational requirements across its network.