Driver apprenticeship scheme helps Hermes tackle driver shortage

The 12-month scheme will give each employee one day off a week to support their studies and will see them become a qualified HGV driver. Around 50 employees have already expressed an interest in joining the scheme.

DRIVING ACADEMY

The practical side of the training will take place at Hermes’ Driving Academy in Nuneaton, where apprentices will also receive instruction on preparing their vehicle, loading and unloading, safety and compliance issues and working as a team. Once qualified, each participant will be offered the opportunity to be interviewed for an LGV driver position within the company.

WAREHOUSE TO WHEELS

Hermes’ driver apprenticeship programme is designed to help alleviate the current national shortage of HGV drivers by developing its own people and giving any one of its non-driving employees an opportunity to gain their Class 2 LGV licence.

Many of the successful applicants to the scheme formerly worked in Hermes’ depots and warehouses, which meant they already had a good understanding of how its logistics operations worked.

RAISING THE STANDARD

Alex Veitch, General Manager – Public Policy, said: “Hermes’ scheme is a great example of how the apprenticeship system can be used to develop a company’s existing talent to help alleviate the pressure of the national driver shortage. Since its launch on 1 August 2021, the standard can be used to utilise the Apprenticeship Levy funds that are available for this purpose.”

Following campaigning from Logistics UK, the Trailblazer group and others, the new C+E Apprenticeship standard attracts a funding level of up to £7,000 per candidate. There is also a new 'Urban Driver' apprenticeship in development which should be launched this autumn. 

*www.logistics.org.uk/skills

Published On: 09/09/2021 16:00:17

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