The Spanish company Grupo Mazo, specialized in refrigerated transport, has started an ambitious project to hire Cuban truck drivers to meet the growing demand for drivers in Spain.
This initiative arises in response to the shortage of labor in the sector, which severely affects the supply chain and may benefit especially Cubans with Spanish citizenship and who have a driver's license with permission to operate this type of vehicles.
Grupo Mazo, based in Alzira, Valencia, has identified Cuba as a potential source of talent due to its previous experience in the Cuban market.
Francisco Mazo, the company's commercial director, points out that the recruitment and training process for new employees can last up to six months.
In April, the company managed to hire seven Cuban truck drivers, which represents a significant step in its talent internationalization strategy.
The decision to hire outside of Europe is a response to the urgency of keeping the company's trucks operational, especially during critical times such as the beginning of the citrus campaign and the return from holidays.
"We are facing the reality of having trucks stopped due to a lack of personnel," comments Mazo.
The situation worsens with the trend of Bulgarian drivers not returning to Spain after vacation periods, seeking better opportunities in other countries or returning to their home country.
The process of hiring non-EU workers, however, presents additional challenges, such as validating foreign driving licenses and conducting aptitude tests by the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT).
In addition to Cuba, Grupo Mazo has considered other Latin American countries such as Ecuador, Chile, and Peru to diversify its sources of hiring.
However, the challenges of balancing work and family for drivers continue to be a significant barrier to ensuring sustainable generational turnover in the sector.
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