DHL provides fully funded driver training

Driving Ambition offers candidates free driver training worth up to £3,000 to obtain either a Category C licence (Class 2) to drive rigid trucks, or licences C and E (Class 1) to drive artics. One of the main aims of the programme is to encourage a wider pool of diverse candidates to consider a driving career.

Ian Clough, MD transport at DHL Supply Chain UK said: “The supply chain industry is facing a huge shortage of drivers. One of the most important steps we can take to solve this for the long-term starts at grass roots by encouraging and enabling people to pursue a career in logistics. By investing in someone’s future, and offering them the opportunity to be trained and ultimately become a qualified LGV driver, we’re hoping to attract as broad an audience as possible. New recruits will be welcomed into the wonderfully diverse DHL family and we’re very much encouraging applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, as well as those underrepresented in the industry, such as women and the ex-military.”

Recognising the need to create a long-term flow of driver candidates, Marks & Spencer has backed the programme and is inviting colleagues and partners to take part in the opportunity to retrain.

The programme is open to anyone looking to become an LGV driver, or those wanting to upskill from a Class 2 licence to a Class 1 and step into one of DHL’s 1,000 training vacancies. Driver roles will be available across the UK, with dedicated transport training centres in the South East, Avonmouth, Crick, Worksop and Bellshill.

Robert Boateng, 59 from London has recently completed Driving Ambition and is now a qualified LGV driver: “I used to drive vans but I wanted to have a specialist qualification and develop a career. The programme is really good - you get lots of support, so I’d recommend it to anyone else thinking about a career change.”

The programme has been trialled with internal candidates and to date 250 people have completed the training programme. All new employees will be invited to join DHL’s pension scheme, along with accessing a range of exclusive wellbeing benefits such as mortgage advice, online tutoring for kids and a free online GP service, plus retail and supermarket discounts of up to 10%.

For more information, visit www.dhl.com/ukidrivingambition