Finding, retaining and developing talent is a top investment for around a third (32%) of New Zealand businesses that run fleets, according to an annual study.
The 2019 NZ Telematics Benchmark Report finds that, more than ever, fleet management is as much about focusing on people as it is about managing vehicle fleets.
The report, conducted by global GPS tracking technology and services supplier Teletrac Navman, examines best practices, trends and current issues influencing fleet management in NZ.
Teletrac Navman says that, with NZ's unemployment rate "sitting at the very low 3.9% mark, businesses need to remain focused on attracting and retaining the best drivers. 
"Interestingly, whilst there's been a marked jump in driver monitoring, safe drivers are not necessarily being rewarded. On top of reduced risk of incidents and injuries, the wider benefits of improving driver behaviour includes the reductions in fuel use, vehicle wear and tear and compliance risk."
Around one third (32%) of respondents said finding, retaining and developing talent is one of their top investments for 2019, while around a quarter (24%) cited it as one of their top challenges.
Around two out of five businesses (44%) are experiencing driver shortages, as 56% of businesses plan to increase fleet size.
Top recruitment methods include online job boards (51%), print media/ trade publications (39%), referrals (39%) and social networking (36%).
Fleet businesses expect it will take 11.4 years until autonomous driving will impact their operations.
Popular retention methods include increasing pay (35%), driver appreciation programmes (23%) and upgrading equipment (20%). Three in 10 (32%) businesses reward safe drivers.
Driver monitoring has increased year-on-year. A majority of companies are monitoring driving (68%) – this growing 38% since 2018.
The report is based on survey responses from 132 NZ fleet operations and fleet management professionals.