Exeter firm puts employees in the driving seat

People employed through an Exeter recruitment firm are being offered the opportunity to take part in an innovative new campaign.

Recruitment Solutions Managing Director Steve Williams has developed a way of rewarding workers and helping to solve a looming problem in the transport and logistics sector at the same time.

European legislation states all professional LGV drivers must complete CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) training, which can cost the individual hundreds of pounds.

Drivers, along with their employers, will be liable for fines if they are caught behind the wheel without a Driver Qualification Card after the deadline in September 2014.

But several recent surveys have suggested many drivers do not intend to complete the training, often because of the cost involved, and are thinking of changing career or retiring.

In response to the situation Steve is offering every temporary worker a credit for every hour they work.

Once the required amount is met, the credits can be exchanged for vocational training.

And with courses being available for just 120 credits, Mr Williams is anticipating a steady take up.

He said: “Although we will be offering a range of courses, the most likely training will be the new Driver CPC’s, forklift training and LGV (old HGV) driver training.

The credits initiative is part of a broader campaign launched by Steve in October 2012 called Driving Careers Forward.The project promotes commercial driving as a viable career opportunity, while breaking down perceived barriers to age and gender in the logistics sector.

Backed by Careers South West, the campaign highlights the fact that, in an era of mass unemployment, a valid driving license could be the key to finding a new, exciting and even lucrative profession.

* You can telephone the Recruitment Solutions office on 01392 - 430800 between 0600 and 1800 Monday to Friday, or contact us on mobile number 07974 126489 at other times.