Hermes UK has launched an apprenticeship scheme designed to help address the national LGV driver shortage. To date, forty-five employees have signed up to the 12-month scheme which will see them gain a Cat C licence and become a qualified LGV driver.
As part of the scheme employees are given a day off a week (or 20% of their working hours) to support their studies. Practical driving training takes place at Hermes’ Driving Academy in Nuneaton and is supplemented by additional theory training. Once qualified candidates are eligible for interview for a LGV driver position within the company.
John Walker, transport manager (Maidstone) at Hermes UK, said the scheme was designed to help address the current driver shortage. “The latest survey from the RHA estimates there is now a shortage of more than 100,000 drivers in the UK. Our LGV apprenticeship programme is designed to help alleviate this industry-wide challenge by allowing our non-driving based employees to gain their Class 2 LGV licence.”
