New Driver’s Academy will help alleviate the chronic shortage of drivers

An HR and recruitment agency is launching an HGV Driver Academy apprenticeship programme to tackle the UK shortage of drivers in the logistics industry.

Starting this September, the Gi Group in partnership with one of its subsidiary businesses, Tack TMI, will be offering its new Driver Apprenticeship Schemes across the UK, providing candidates with a full support package, from bespoke training to helping successful candidates secure their dream role once qualified.

Gi Group will start its apprentices with a salary of around £11/£12 per hour and throughout the 12-month programme, individuals can increase their salary as they progress. The courses cover Class 1 and Class 2 qualifications including hands-on blended learning throughout.

With the cost-of-living crisis, there is nationwide concern surrounding job security and the opportunity for progressive salaries. The new driving programmes support a work-life balance, providing flexible working – leading to positions paying around £60,000 per year once fully qualified.

Research found that at the beginning of 2022 the industry was short of around 100,000 HGV drivers. While this number dropped to 60,000 by the beginning of 2023, this is still a significant shortage in an industry that has suffered for over a decade.

Andrew Fletcher, Operations Manager for the South at Gi Group, said: “Our new mission within our Driving division is to create a long-term, sustainable solution to the challenges posed by industry-wide driver shortages. There is a stigma in the industry around the gender and age of HGV drivers, but this just doesn’t need to be the case. We’re passionate that the future of the industry can be shaped by young, innovative men and women. Driving offers people a flexible working environment and opens up opportunities to work around your life, with the possibility of some serious salaries.”

 Sara O’Brien, Head of Partnerships & Sales, Apprenticeships at Tack TMI, said: “We have already had a lot of interest, which is a great sign. Over the years there have been dramatic driver shortages, for various reasons such as Brexit and the pandemic, but we are here to support a positive and flourishing future for our drivers, our clients and the sector. People often think of the long hours involved in driving, but we are here to show this career path offers so much more. It provides people with job flexibility and role progression that many warehouse or office-based roles can’t necessarily facilitate. Driving offers the work-life balance that so many crave with the opportunity to earn a really healthy salary.”