AF Blakemore has helped 108 colleagues gain a new LGV driving licence in the past 12 months.
Seventy-seven colleagues have gained a Class 1 licence and 31 have gained a Class 2 licence.
A Class 1 licence allows drivers to operate a category C+E vehicle. These are the biggest vehicles legally allowed on the motorway, such as units and trailers, and can weigh up to 44 tonnes. A Class 2 licence allows drivers to operate a category C, which is known in the industry as a ‘rigid vehicle’. These can weigh between 7.5 to 32 tonnes.
The Spar wholesaler said it has covered all training costs and fees and has a further 34 people training for the business. Over the past 18 months, AF Blakemore has invested circa £250,000 in driver training.
Driver training opportunities have been made available across all of its distribution depots in the West Midlands, South Wales, Bedford and Wakefield.
The business runs two driver training programmes that enable both employees and prospective employees with no prior LGV driving experience to train as Class 1 or 2 drivers. Class 1 upgrades are available for AF Blakemore colleagues with six months of service.
AF Blakemore launched its first LGV driver training programme in 2008.
“The driver shortage in the UK is one of the biggest challenges facing the logistics sector,” said AF Blakemore logistics compliance manager Dave Higgs.
“As a business we have been doing our best to step up to the challenge by adjusting our recruitment processes, reviewing driver pay and benefits and investing in driver training.
“Our training programmes offer both existing colleagues and new recruits a fantastic opportunity to progress their careers at the same time as ensuring a pipeline of qualified drivers to help the business remain profitable and sustainable for the long term.”
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