JMD Haulage, one of the North West’s leading container haulage operators, has partnered with Northwest Education & Training and Jobcentre Plus to provide individuals with fully funded HGV driver training.
The scheme provided individuals who were unemployed or looking to retrain in a new profession, the opportunity to gain their HGV Licence with the knowledge that they would be employed by JMD Haulage once they successfully completed their training.
The comprehensive training involves a CPC course and verification, theory, hazard perception and case studies. Once they have their HGV licence in hand, drivers are given extensive on-the-job practical training from JMDs in-house driver trainer – ensuring they have all the tools required to be safe once they are out on the road on their own. He spends at least 1 week with all new drivers, covering all aspects of the job, from vehicle safety checks, and paperwork/tachograph use, to the loading/unloading of various-sized containers/reefers, building their confidence before going out on their own. He then remains in contact by phone 24/7 for any help/advice, should the drivers require it.
One of the scheme’s early success stories quickly impressed with his enthusiasm and driving skills and was selected by NWEAT as a good HGV candidate, proving to be an excellent choice by passing at his first attempt.
He is now employed by JMD, driving across the country and averaging a 60-hour week. He said, “JMD has been amazing, bringing me on as a new driver to the industry and ensuring I had all the on-the-job training, tools and help I needed to hit the road”. “JMDs in-house trainer was great, taking me out and guiding me through my first week at JMD, giving me a huge amount of confidence to hit the roads on my own.”
Regarding his training at NWEAT he says “I can’t praise and thank the staff at NWEAT enough – all the trainers who took me through my driving. It was well-organised and professional at all times”.
In total, JMD has helped to train and employ over 20 new HGV drivers through the partnership with NWEAT and Jobcentre Plus.
For our latest driver vacancies, please click here.
