Next month will see John Lewis Partnership open an LGV Driver Academy to train drivers in 13 weeks to sit the DVSA LGV theory and practical safety tests, helping to reduce the industry shortage of LGV drivers.
The Driver Academy will train up to 90 people per year at the company’s four training facilities in Aylesford, Bracknell, London and Milton Keynes.
The new fast track training is designed for people who may already be drivers of smaller delivery vehicles but the retailer is also increasing the number of 12 month LGV driver apprenticeships offered to people who are starting out in their driving career, as well as offering more apprenticeships for people who want to train to become Waitrose and John Lewis delivery drivers.
It follows other moves announced by the company earlier in the year to boost the nationwide shortage of drivers. Mark Robinson, partner and director of Supply Chain said; “In August, we increased pay and introduced a £1,000 welcome payment for qualified LGV drivers who join us before November. This investment in training is a longer-term solution to the industry shortage.”
“Due to the size of our business and range of services, we can offer drivers not just a job, but unrivalled career opportunities. We will pay our drivers to do further training to change roles from delivering groceries to Waitrose customers, to driving a 3.5 tonne truck to deliver goods to our shops, or learn how to deliver and install washing machines, TVs and lighting.
