Hermes launches HGV driver apprenticeship scheme

Employees offered paid-for 12-month scheme to alleviate driver shortage and boost skills

Hermes launches HGV apprenticeship scheme

By Tim Wallace

Hermes has launched an apprenticeship programme designed to help address the national HGV driver shortage, while also developing its own people.

The 12-month scheme has attracted 45 employees and will see candidates gain a cat C licence and become a qualified HGV driver. Every employee will be given one day off a week (or 20%) to support their studies.

The practical driving training will take place at Hermes’ Driving Academy in Nuneaton alongside additional instruction covering a range of areas such as preparing vehicles, loading and unloading, keeping safe, legal requirements, communication skills, problem solving and team working. Once qualified, each participant will be offered an interview for an HGV driver position in the company.

John Walker, transport manager (Maidstone) at Hermes UK, said: “Our HGV apprenticeship programme is designed to help alleviate the industry-wide challenge by allowing any of our nondriving-based employees to gain a Class 2 HGV licence.

“It won’t cost them a penny and they will be given paid time off during their current job for the practical and theory studying elements. The programme gives them the extra time and training to become safe and competent drivers rather than just passing a driving test.

“It’s good to hear when a driver says, ‘I’ve got a new skill for life, as Hermes has shown me the way to a career rather than a job’.”

Logistics UK produces guide to securing funding for drivers

Logistics UK has published a guide explaining how to access funding and support when employing HGV drivers.

The guide, produced with support from the Department for Education and the Department for Work and Pensions, is free to download and gives information about schemes available to employers and how and where to apply for funding, including apprenticeships and traineeships.

Logistics UK policy director Elizabeth de Jong said: “There is an acute issue with the recruitment and retention of roles across our industry, not just HGV drivers, but many employers are confused about how to access vital funding to recruit and train workers.

“This guide provides simple and practical steps that will help recruiters across our industry to identify and enrol the workforce this sector so desperately needs.”

Tuffnells names new board of directors

Tuffnells has announced a new board of directors amid an expansion drive following a successful year since being sold by the Connect Group last May.

At that time, Tuffnells was making a loss of approximately £14m on an annual revenue of £164m, but returned to profit just six months after the management buyout.

Chris Tresadern has been promoted to chief executive, having previously held the roles of regional director from 2002 to 2008 and sales director from 2008 to 2017, before leaving to pursue a role in consultancy.

He returned to Tuffnells in 2020 as commercial director and will now guide the firm in its next phase, consolidating its position as the leader in IDW (irregular dimension and weight) freight.

The latest addition to the board is operations director Gary Milne. Having previously worked with Tuffnells, he re-joins with more than 30 years’ industry experience.

Shellea Crosby has joined the board as commercial director, having taken on the roles of regional sales manager and regional sales director for the north since she started in 2018.

Ian Brewer was appointed to the board as finance director in 2020, having previously worked for Tuffnells after delaying retirement.

Sue Bancroft has become HR director, after making significant changes since joining Tuffnells through training, recruitment and engagement initiatives.

Tipper trailer producer Fruehauf in administration

Lincolnshire-based tipper and rigid trailer manufacturer Fruehauf has gone into administration.

Commercial vehicle suppliers said ongoing delays to orders had led to a major trailer shortage across the entire supply chain. Fruehauf is understood to produce approximately half of the tipping trailers sold in the UK.

Quantuma’s Carl Jackson and Tauseef Rashid have been appointed joint administrators, along with Brian Johnson of UHY Hacker Young. They are looking at either a sale or a company voluntary arrangement.

Founded in 2010 and based at a 64-acre site in Grantham, Fruehauf employs approximately 100 staff.

David Taylor, chairman of Driffield-based commercial vehicle supplier DG Taylor, said: “We have orders for 78 trailers, all sold, so we’ve got the unenviable task of telling people that Fruehauf is in administration, and we don’t know when they’re going to get them.

“Everybody is angry about it because they need trailers for the harvest and there are none about. The impact will be substantial, but I think a buyer will be found.”

Colin Smith of Colin N Smith Haulage in Buckinghamshire said: “This will have a serious effect on trailer supply.”

A Fruehauf spokesperson said: “The company has been placed into administration for a temporary period while we try to appoint an investor. Nothing changes, we’re still operating.”