Jobcentre Plus and Road Haulage Association plan national work experience scheme

In the pilot, 20 individuals in the Southampton, Portsmouth and Eastleigh areas completed a two-week placement with RHA members, in which they were shown what truck driving is all about – along with other aspects of the haulage industry.

Employment Minister Esther McVey said: “The young people I meet often tell me that they need work experience to get a job, but they need a job to get work experience. That’s why we hugely expanded our job schemes that give jobseekers the best opportunity to get their foot on the career ladder. And it is terrific that the Road Haulage Association is working with Jobcentre Plus to do just that - helping people to consider a career as a truck driver and life on the open road.  It’s a diverse and growing industry, and one which is so vital to the continuing economic success of our country.”

The scheme also got strong support from RHA members in the Southampton area who took part in the pilot.

Clive Watkins, managing director of transport, warehousing and distribution firm Lambert Brothers, said: “The work experience scheme gives applicants an insight into the industry and some will want to get involved in it as a result. It also gives employers an opportunity to chance to assess potential recruits. The scheme is definitely worth rolling out nationally.”

Mark Breakey, operations manager at Steve Porter Transport, said: “The scheme gives a fantastic opportunity to get people into the industry that wouldn’t otherwise get a chance. The candidates can show what they can do to employers who, based on their application form, might not give them an interview. But I don’t want people who are good at interviews - I want people who can do the job. We had people on placement who, definitely, I would choose but would not normally have seen.”

Darren Littledyke, training manager at logistics firm Aspray24, also strongly supported the initiative: “We are acutely aware of the driver shortage within the transport industry. We had two candidates and both were punctual, enthusiastic and inquisitive. We gave them experience of the business as a whole. We have employed one, who is enjoying being back at work. The other candidate arrived with a pre-conception that the experience would be worthless but said the placement had changed his perception of the industry and may look further into possible pathways into the transport.”

RHA chief executive Richard Burnett said: “The pilot has given us the confidence to take the scheme nationwide, working through JCP local offices and RHA area managers. It will be a really significant project in promoting the industry and in strengthening our members’ understanding of what JCP can contribute to the success of their businesses. The scheme will also get some of the candidates into employment in the industry.”