Truck and Track Summer 2021

www.truckandtrack.com Summer 2021 Truck and Track 13 BUSINESS NEWS A forward-thinking Leicestershire logistics firm is pledging to invest tens of thousands of pounds in free training courses to help tackle the chronic shortage of HGV drivers in the UK. Translink Express Logistics, in Narborough, has launched the first scheme of its kind to offer fully-funded driver training to new and existing employees and provide a simpler route into work for younger and new-pass drivers. Translink, a member of the Wolverhampton-based Pallet-Track network, is offering free HGV training courses to its staff which it will pay for at a cost of up to £2,500 per person. Drivers will be able to take the course during working hours and won’t have to use annual leave to complete the training. Translink has also struck a deal with the national HGV training school, Hughes Driver Training, to introduce all new-pass drivers in the Leicestershire area to the business with the aimof helping them develop their driving skills further. The company will offer all new-pass HGV Class 2 drivers the opportunity to upgrade to HGV Class 1 within six months, for free, and is working with its insurers, Towergate, to allow it to take on younger and new-pass drivers without the usual ‘red tape’ which often obstructs this process. Chris Hobbis, commercial director at Translink, said: “There’s no upper limit to what we’re pledging here – we’re committed to investing whatever it takes to solve this problem. “We put up posters advertising this opportunity and had 8% of our staff apply within 24 hours, which is a fantastic return and shows the potential demand for the service. “We have also had agency drivers interested in joining us so that they can take advantage of the scheme. “We’re really confident this project will help our business deal with the HGV driver shortage, which is now around 80,000 nationwide. “In addition to the training, the arrangement with Towergate will help us take on younger and new-pass drivers without the huge excesses on insurance policies which previously made this an almost- impossible task. “This concept hasn’t been used anywhere before and we think it couldhelp start to solveour network’s driver recruitment problems.” The launch of Translink’s training project comes shortly after Pallet- Track CEOCaroline Green called on all of the company’s shareholder members to write to their MPs to raise the issue. The long-standing crisis has been compounded by the triple- whammy of Brexit, the coronavirus pandemic and a huge spike in demand for home deliveries. Caroline said: “I’ve said previously that collective action is the way to tackle this crisis – it is too big for one company to solve alone. “The scheme being introduced by Translink Express is exactly the sort of innovative, forward-thinking action needed to help us deal with this issue.” For more information on Translink Express, visit www.translinkexpress.co.uk For more information about Pallet-Track, call 0870 385 0055 or visit www.pallet-track.co.uk Leicestershire logistics firm pledges significant investment to tackle driver shortage crisis The UK commercial vehicle sector has seenmany changes since the last CV Show– brought about by the by the industry’s ability to adapt and because of necessity. During the first lockdown of 2020, 48% of the UKs heavy goods vehicle parc was laid up – approximately 250k trucks. Furlough, lack of work, driver sickness, EUdrivers returning home – thesewere all factors that took their toll on the industry. But it was also a time when more and more people, unable to leave their homes except for essential journeys, began to change the way they shopped and home deliveries soared. From weekly supermarket deliveries to Christmas and supplies for other occasions – all delivered to millions of front doors around the UK in vans. The sector thrived and continues to do so. But unlike other areas, van operators throughout the nation have had no representative body – no-one to recognise the importance of their work and no-one to fight their corner when needed. Not, that is, until now. Today, as legislation changes, clean air zones become the ‘norm’, stricter road use regulations prevail and access to towns and cities becomes more and more limited, van operators are coming into their own. And who better to fly the flag for vans than the RHA? Backed by over 76 years of commercial vehicle industry experience and knowledge, we are in the enviable position of being able to give this vital commercial vehicle sector what it needs. A strong and proven campaigning and lobbying background and an extensive knowledge base familiar with every single aspect of running vehicles for hire and reward. Officially launched at the end of 2019, this year’s CV Show will see the first ‘outing’ for RHA Vans. Vans will be well represented and we’re looking forward to welcoming operators to Stand 5D20. so that we can tell you how we can keep your fleet costs down, your efficiency effective and your compliance levels high. The UK commercial vehicle industry is rapidly expanding and the RHA, the organisation with sole responsibility for commercial vehicles is staying ahead of the changes. Come and see us on Stand 5D20 and find out more about what we do – and what we can do for you! RHA – we’re about more than trucks Chris Hobbis, commercial director at Translink Express Logistics Translink Express Logistics has devised a unique, fully-funded training programme to help tackle the chronic shortage of HGV drivers in the UK TRUCK & TRAILER SOLUTIONS WELCOME TO ALLPORTS GROUP allportsgroup.co.uk