Understanding the Professional White Van Man

The phrase "white van man" has become a staple of our vernacular, but unfortunately, negative stereotypes may still exist in spite of the professionalism required to gain a foothold in the competitive world of courier jobs. It's time to address the issue once and for all and put an end to the inaccurate portrayal of the white van man.

Popularisation of the Term

Those in the know in the transportation industry must have been dismayed when they heard Radio 2 DJ Sarah Kennedy refer disparagingly to "white van men", back in 1997. It didn't take long for the term to catch on and be used as an all-embracing reference to people who earned a living doing deliveries and courier jobs. The Sunday Times published a prophetic article entitled "Number is up for white van men" in reference to the inevitable decline in the availability of employment for dedicated drivers. However, happily, their prediction has been proved completely wrong.

Road Safety

Research conducted by the RAC has revealed that a far higher proportion of cars than vans or lorries are involved in serious accidents each year in UK roads. Far from being reckless and irresponsible, it appears that those who drive for a living are, in fact, far more attuned to road safety, courtesy and consideration to other road users. Experts say this is most likely because professional van drivers need to know the rules of the road and take advanced tests before being able to take on courier jobs as a living.

Supporting the Professionalism of White Van Men

There are a number of other statistics and facts that can be used to back up the professional standards of the humble white van man. In various surveys conducted over the past two years, it's been revealed that over 65% of the demographic have never had to make insurance claims as a consequence of road accidents, and more than 50% read books on a regular basis in order to stay abreast of global and local current affairs. In today's modern world, driving for a living is considered a legitimate profession and not just a stopgap to fill in time until something better comes along.

The Unheralded Workforce

There many thousands of so-called "white van men" in the UK workforce. Some specialise in local deliveries while others go further afield to take on work in Europe. According to the surveys. The things they deem important include pride in their professional appearance and the effort to routinely clean and maintain their vehicles while working on courier jobs. This importance weighted towards maintaining high standards of professionalism and positive local promotion is a far cry from a radio DJs disparaging remarks all those years ago, and many workers in the transport industry land lucrative contracts with international businesses and are amongst the country's top earners.