THE NWH Group, one of the UK’s leading recycling and waste management companies, has launched The NWH Driving School – a new initiative to tackle the on-going HGV driver shortage.
The business aims to secure two new HGV drivers per week through its fully-funded training programme.
Ricky Ray, Group Compliance Director at The NWH Group, said: “To deliver on our excellent rated service levels, HGV drivers are essential to our business. Due to a variety of reasons, the industry is facing a massive driver shortage right now so growing the HGV driver pool is one of our top priorities.
“We understand the current economic climate and cost of living crisis are creating extremely challenging circumstances for many people so we’re offering potential HGV drivers a fully-funded route to secure their license as well as a guaranteed job at the end. Not only that, drivers will benefit from a full-time salary while they complete their training.
“The process to achieve the HGV driver qualification can be a lengthy and difficult one, and one that can seem out of reach for lots of people due to the number of tests, courses and the expensive fees that are required. So, we’re stepping in to help.”
Furthermore, the team at NWH has recognised the lack of opportunities for young people trying to break into the profession, and so has increased the number of driver apprenticeships it offers each year from two to eight – with full time employment at the end guaranteed.
To further assist with the cost of living, The NWH Group will be recruiting driver mentors from within its own pool of drivers to support the newly qualified NWH drivers, and will be creating a substantial financial reward for each new driver to pass through the scheme into employment.
Additionally, its HGV driver apprenticeship scheme, which was first launched in 2013, enables young adults to learn on the job and achieve career specific qualifications as well as learning valuable skills and gaining experience in the field.
The scheme offers an incredibly high level of training from experienced and knowledgeable mentor drivers and apprentices are put through their SVQ Driving Goods Vehicles qualification, in addition to a Level 3 Modern Apprenticeship in Freight Logistics – Driving Goods Vehicles.
About NWH Group
The NWH Group is one of the UK’s leading recycling and waste management. Serving the whole of Scotland and North East England from ten sites, The NWH Group is committed to creating a sustainable future by improving the social, economic, and environmental wellbeing of its communities.
The progressive, second-generation family business provides waste management services to the industrial, commercial and construction industries. Collecting waste with its fleet of trade refuse, skip, tipper, grab and walking floor articulated vehicles, it transports materials to its own recycling facilities where they are transformed into high value products such as cardboard, paper, washed sands, biomass for energy and animal bedding.
