Spalding lorry academy expands to take in car drivers with two years' experience
Spalding haulage company Gist is expanding its innovative driving academy to take in prospective lorry drivers with no previous experience.
In a bid to boost driver numbers, Gist’s in-house instructors and examiners will support applicants through a programme that could see them gain their licences in as little as seven days.
The Gist Driving Academy was launched at its in-house driver training and testing centre in Spalding last October.
The centre initially focussed on training existing Category C and provisional HGV licence holders – however, it has now been expanded to anyone with a full UK driving licence and at least two years’ experience.
Gist says successful applicants who gain their Category C+E licence will receive competitive pay, with all training costs and fees associated with obtaining the licence covered, as well as travel and accommodation costs. The overall support package is expected to save individuals up to £5,000 when compared to self-funding.
Gist anticipates the Academy will deliver up to 100 newly qualified HGV drivers for the company each year.
Julian Bailey, managing director Temperature Controlled Logistics, Gist, said: “The Academy has already had great success and I’m delighted we’re expanding the programme to train and develop the next generation of commercial drivers who can now transition from car driving to gaining their Category C+E licence in just two weeks.
“The logistics industry is still tackling a nationwide HGV driver shortage and so I’m thrilled that our in-house academy is playing a vital role in addressing that.”