KINAXIA STEPS UP HGV DRIVER RECRUITMENT PROGRAMME

general 6 December 2021

We are stepping up our driver recruitment programme with a series of measures designed to attract new entrants to the industry.

Announcing a raft of initiatives, chief executive Simon Hobbs said Kinaxia would not be seeking to lure staff from other companies with incentives.

Instead we are focusing on filling vacancies by recruiting newcomers to the industry, including veterans and ex-offenders, and offering our warehouse staff the opportunity to switch careers.

We have so far received nearly 200 applications for our recently-launched, fully-funded driver training programme worth over £3,500, which leads to a full HGV licence.

The first cohort of recruits have begun their training under the scheme, including a coach driver who has changed career.

We have launched a ‘Warehouse to Wheels’ initiative, enabling staff across our warehousing operations to apply for a Class 1 or Class 2 lorry driver’s licence, with training also paid for by the company.

We are also funding our current Class 2 drivers to progress to Class 1.

Our group has also registered to take advantage of a government funding package for new entrants to gain either Class 1 or Class 2 licences. The scheme began in mid-November and runs to the end of March 2022. The funding covers fees payable by applicants for their provisional licences and theory tests.

The company currently has 122 driver vacancies.

Simon said: “We need to bring in new entrants to the industry and, when they are ready to start their training and development with us, we will slot them into our family of businesses around the country.

“Our HR and recruitment teams are working flat out to screen the large number of applications received from candidates from a wide variety of backgrounds.

“We are keen to provide veterans, ex-offenders and others with the opportunity to join the industry.”

He added: “The HGV driver shortage is not just a UK problem. Other European countries have the same dilemma and are facing similar challenges.

“The situation in Britain has been compounded by Brexit, as a large number of people from overseas have left the country for good.

“COVID has had an impact on the industry too. While on furlough, some drivers got out of the habit of getting up at 4am and spending days on end away from home, and opted to pursue different careers.”

He added: “For long periods during lockdowns there were no tests or training, which led to delays in new entrants being able to join the industry.

“Changes to IR35 have also led to people who set up their own companies ceasing to trade.

“The solution is to make the industry more attractive, to be more creative in the way we employ people regarding shift patterns, enabling to work part-time as well as full time.”

He said the government could do more to tackle the crisis as Britain grapples with a shortage of 100,000 drivers, a situation which may not be resolved for 12 months.

“The government’s current tactics are not going to fix things at all. It has given work permits to drivers in the EU, but has received very few applications,” he said.

“Several months ago, the government extended drivers’ working hours, but several companies including ourselves refused to adopt this measure on health and safety grounds.

“For the industry as a whole, I suspect it will be this time next year before the issue is resolved. Finding 100,000 drivers is a lot to ask.

“There are currently delays with getting medicals, provisional licences and test dates for new drivers, but the government could help by taking more urgent action to tackle the hold-ups and blockages which are hampering efforts to get these recruits on the road.”

Make an enquiry

Get in touch and one of our experts will be glad to assist you as soon as we can.