Co-op to recruit over 300 LGV driver apprentices
The Co-op is creating over 300 LGV driver apprenticeships as it looks to help address the current driver shortage in the UK.
The scheme will offer apprentices the opportunity to work towards a Class 1 vehicle licence and a career in driving.
It will run for 12 to 15 months in various locations around the country and will be opened up to both internal and external candidates. Apprentices will become fully operational drivers within three months and receive a pay increase from the starting salary of between £23,753.60 to £25,584.00, depending on their location.
In the first three months, apprentices will undertake both practical and theoretical learning to help obtain their licence which will be paid for by the Co-op. They will study modules covering driving regulations and delivering customer service.
The roles will include 135 large goods vehicle driver apprenticeships and a further 207 apprenticeships for third party haulier services at Co-op sites.
Co-op Food chief executive Jo Whitfield said: “The transport sector needs long-term sustainable change. Through our apprenticeship programme we’ll be able to help driver recruitment by attracting new talent and make the sector more appealing to younger people. These apprenticeships are part of our broader apprenticeship commitment at the Co-op to improve social mobility.
“I’m pleased to see the Co-op leading the way and the last few months have only stressed the importance of drivers who are not only providing a service that is so vital for our business but for society as a whole.”
The scheme is open to people with a full UK/EU car driving licence and no professional driving experience is required.
The Co-op is also working with contract logistics providers, GXO and Wincanton, to create over 200 opportunities throughout 2022 at sites where they work on Co-op’s behalf.
Minister for Skills, Alex Burghart, said: “It’s great to see Co-op continuing to invest in apprenticeships with the creation of 300 LGV apprentice roles. Apprenticeships are a superb way to launch careers or upskill in a wide range of key industries, and crucially help to plug workforce shortages by providing people with high-quality training in the skills businesses need to thrive.”
Aron Marshall (pictured), an HGV Driver at the Co-op who won Level 2 Apprentice of the Year, said: “Before taking the role I was working in an office setting with other drivers hearing about the different places they were going to, day to day, and I became really interested in learning something totally new and getting out there myself. It’s great to see the Co-op providing such a fantastic opportunity to start a career in driving. I’d really encourage people who are unsure about their future careers paths to consider re-training in one of the driver apprentice roles.”
