Trailblazer apprenticeships – a big win for the haulage industry
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) is delighted at the announcement from the Business Department (BiS) that they have agreed funding for three apprenticeships in England for lorry driving, traffic office and warehouse operative.
Commenting, RHA chief executive Richard Burnett said: “We helped many of our members to lobby their MPs and made the issue a central part of last year's first ever National Lorry Week and at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester. We are delighted that our voice was not just heard – it was listened to.
“As the leading trade body dedicated to road freight we deployed all our campaigning resources to support the excellent work of Colin Snape, chairman of the logistics Trailblazer group, for his dedication and drive in leading the group in its dealings with the Business Department. Without his invaluable help which I doubt if we would have these Trailblazers. It is an extraordinary achievement, having combined that with his day-job as HR manager of RHA member company Nagel Langdons.”
Colin Snape said: “In my experience, taking time to give new employees a proper, structured grounding rewards both the employer and the individual.
“The Trailblazer LGV driver apprenticeship gives a really solid platform and encouragement to employers of all sizes – not just the big logistics fleets.
"These Trailblazers could be game-changing for the industry. For the first time, employers have funded apprenticeship schemes that have been designed with strong industry involvement and will be of real practical use. The LGV Driver Trailblazer scheme allows a government funding contribution of up to £4,900 per apprentice and includes the acquisition of an LGV licence and full driver CPC qualification.”
Hauliers who want to take a progressive approach to the industry and to train their recruits to be professional drivers, doing the job the way it should be done, should examine the LGV driver apprenticeship to see what it can offer.
The LGV apprenticeship will also be ideal for candidates entering the Roads to Logistics scheme, developed between the RHA, Care After Combat, Microlise and HM Prison Service to provide a career path for ex-servicemen who have served time in prison.
