Environmental and land services provider, The NWH Group (NWH), has committed £500,000 investment in its own unique HGV driver apprenticeship scheme for the next five years and beyond.
Run in conjunction with Glasgow Training Group (GTG), NWH hopes to recruit and train 80 HGV driver apprentices during the course of the next five years with successful graduates achieving a Modern Apprenticeship in Driving. The scheme is open to people aged 18 – 24 years who are looking for an exciting and challenging career path and who already have an ordinary driving licence, and possibly some professional driving experience. The scheme is also open to those simply looking for a change in career direction.
Mark Williams, CEO at The NWH Group, said: “There is an industry-wide shortage of HGV drivers which is a real challenge for businesses in the road haulage industry and other businesses requiring these skilled drivers as core members of their workforce. We believe that focusing on the modern apprenticeship and our driver academy programme is the route to growing our own driver talent and increasing driver retention. Increasing the number of high quality, qualified drivers out on the roads is critical to the continued success of our industry.”
Road Haulage Association chief executive, Richard Burnett, said: “The UK haulage industry is currently facing a shortage of between 45k and 50k HGV drivers and we, as an industry, need to face this challenge head-on. With a shortage of drivers across Europe, it’s vital that the sector does more to bring people into the industry, and for the good of the whole economy, we must increase the availability of quality drivers.”
The NWH Group apprenticeship programme provides individuals with a well-rounded experience where apprentices are provided with a one year rolling programme, in addition to coaching on their actual driving, including activities to develop skills and experience in a wide range of roles and departments including accounts and finance, administration and transport. This breadth of experience helps to ensure that apprentices really understand the inner workings of the business and the vital role they have to play once they become fully qualified drivers.
The first four 2018 apprentices started recently, and the plan is to recruit a further eight later in the year, followed by another 18 during 2019. The intake will continue to increase through to 2022 and beyond.
Apprentice intake one: 2018
Kevin Whelan, 24, Penicuik
Prior to joining NWH, Kevin spent four years working as a multi-drop van driver in the Edinburgh area, providing him with experience as an employed driver which will be a great advantage in making the transition into the HGV driving market. Prior to this, Kevin worked in a call centre where customer service was a top priority at all times, and this will stand him in strong stead for his future as an NWH HGV driver. Kevin started his apprenticeship in the customer service and sales ledger departments at NWH’s head office, where he will gain an understanding of the importance of customer service and the administrative side of the business.
He said: “I was looking for a change in direction for my driving career, something that would help expand my knowledge, skills and experience. After finding out more about the apprenticeship and successfully applying, I genuinely haven’t looked back. It’s great to be part of a growing business and I’m really enjoying rotating roles between the various departments.
He continued: “I’m looking forward to spending time with the transport and workshop teams, and then getting out on the road. In the short time I have been with NWH, I already feel really supported to succeed and can see that there’s some great opportunities for me and my long-term career.”
Lewis Cranston, 19, Musselburgh
Prior to joining NWH as an apprentice, Lewis worked for a commercial waste organisation in a customer service role. His knowledge of the waste industry, and his experience in communicating with customers made him an excellent candidate for the apprenticeship. Lewis has started his apprenticeship in the transport team where he will learn about the daily challenges faced by the transport co-ordinators and how they interact with the drivers.
Kieran McDonald, 22, Rosewell
Kieran has worked in a number of industries and roles including general labouring, being a railway trackman, and working as a steeplejack – all of which can be very physically demanding roles, and will come in handy when he’s a fully fledged NWH driver. Kieran is currently shadowing an experienced tipper driver, gaining an insight into the job he will be doing himself.
Callum Rutherford, 23, Bonnyrigg
Callum was working as a supermarket delivery driver prior to joining NWH. His experience of driving in busy environments and interacting with customers was perceived to be an ideal combination of work experience to bring to NWH as an apprentice and become a NWH HGV driver. Like Kieran, Callum has begun his apprenticeship by shadowing an experienced tipper driver.
The apprenticeship scheme has already proven to be successful, with 82% of graduate apprentices being retained as members of staff at NWH. 2016/17 graduate apprentice Chris Kirkwood (22), was recently named Scotland’s Top Road Transport Trainee of the Year at the Transport News Scottish Rewards 2018. Having joined the business in September 2016, Chrisrecently completed his Modern Apprenticeship in Driving and is now a fully qualified HGV tipper driver. He collected his award last November at the Scottish Rewards presentation in Glasgow.
For newly qualified Category C or Category C + E drivers, aged 25 years and over, The NWH Group also offers The NWH Group Driver Academy, a scheme that was launch to help qualified drivers to gain essential on the road experience. To find out more, please visit http://www.nwhgroup.co.uk/careers/nwh-academy/
