Amid the shortage of HGV drivers, a Spalding company has set up its own training and testing centre.
Gist has launched its own fully accredited facility as it looks for up to 80 eligible Class C drivers and provisional HGV licence holders to be trained and examined through its fully-funded in-house HGV driver programme.
The reasons for the shortfall of 60,000 drivers across the country according to unions have included workers moving away following Brexit, a lack of roadside facilities, long hours and poor pay, while more recently people having to self-isolate has added to the problem.
The company anticipates its driver training and testing programme will deliver up to 300 newly qualified HGV drivers for Gist each year.
A spokesman for the company said: “These drivers will gain their HGV Class C+E licence and will be driving for Gist in time for the busy peak Christmas trading period.
“Those who are offered places on the programme will receive competitive rates of pay from day one, with Gist fully funding all training costs and fees associated with obtaining the relevant licences as well as travel and accommodation costs.
“The overall support package is expected to save individuals’ approximately £3,000 when compared to self-funding.
“Successful applicants will also benefit from Gist’s sign-on and retention bonuses worth up to £5,000, payable over their first 15 months of employment with the company.”
Michael Chambers, Gist Chief Executive said: “The logistics industry has a critical part to play in addressing the HGV driver shortage.
“While the recent Government intervention on short-term HGV driver visas is welcomed and will help deliver the nation’s Christmas, it is not a long-term solution.
“Training and developing home-grown drivers is the most sustainable way out of this crisis which is likely to be with us for some time to come.”
