A logistics firm in the North East is hoping to tackle the national HGV driver shortage with a new partnership with a college in the region.
Newton Aycliffe鈥檚 Stiller Warehousing and Distribution has teamed up with Darlington College to give students advice on working in logistics plus a job interview at the end of the four-week course.
Stiller, which was one of the winners at last year鈥檚 North East Business Awards, is hoping to attract more drivers to help the company鈥檚 growth amid a boom in the logistics sector.
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Operations director Brian Simpson said: 鈥淲e thought their course was exceptionally well thought out, and we could see the benefit of us joining up with them.
鈥淐andidates on the course get additional training in areas such as health and safety and customer service. And it means they are far better equipped when they come to us.
鈥淲e join the course in the first week, tell them who we are and let them see and hear what it鈥檚 about from people who are actually doing the job.
鈥淭hroughout the course, the tutors will look out for people that potentially suit this type of business. Then we鈥檒l interview them with a view to giving them a job at the end of the course. Course participants must be over 19.
鈥淎nd if they do come to us, our staff certified by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents will take them through extensive on the job training. New HGV drivers after a settling in period will then have the opportunity to progress their careers with training in areas such as hazardous goods transport, forklift truck operations or business improvement NVQs.鈥
Stiller employs more than 160 people, including warehouse and office staff, and drivers. It said salaries in the sector are improving and it is looking for more staff.
Patrick Robinson, Darlington College鈥檚 senior engagement coordinator, said: 鈥淭he partnership with Stiller is great. It allows us to offer a tangible opportunity at the end of the course and gives the students the opportunity to be interviewed for not just a role but something they could do for the rest of their working life.鈥
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