Driver shortages across the UK are being addressed head on as a new logistics company in Northampton which trains and recruits delivery drivers’ marked its official launch at an exclusive event at Silverstone Circuit.
Driver shortages across the UK are being addressed head on as a new logistics company in Northampton which trains and recruits delivery drivers’ marked its official launch at an exclusive event at Silverstone Circuit.
AE Driver Training and Recruitment, based at Liliput Road on Brackmills Industrial Estate, Northampton, was originally intended to tackle driver shortages by offering 100 people from across the South East Midlands free driver training and a guaranteed job at the end if they passed.
The new academy, set up in April 2015, proved so successful that the business has since expanded to offer professional driver training to logistics companies all across the UK.
Elaine Harries, who set up the new company with business partner Syed Ziaullah, said: “Last year we were a frustrated transport company having numerous problems with agency drivers, so instead of moaning about it we decided to do something.
“We were inundated with local people wanting our free driver training with a job in logistics and we are now equally busy running bespoke corporate driver training. With more than 250,000 drivers expected to retire in the next 15 years we are determined that our new company will encourage more people aged 21 and up to consider a career in logistics.”
The company’s launch event, which took place at the home of Formula 1 on 1st September 2015, brought together leading companies with business and logistics experts and was opened by Chief Executive of the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP), Daniel Mouawad.
AE Driver Training and Recruitment, a JAUPT approved training centre, now has three instructors who are Driving and Vehicle Standard Agency (DVSA) approved.
Elaine added: “Our original focus was to attract more people into the industry by fully funding the cost of acquiring up to a Category C+E licence. That has been a huge success and our newly trained drivers are all working in logistics. We are now also training drivers for logistics companies across the UK, teaching people everything they need to know, including the smaller things such as how to uncouple a trailer and how to pull back curtains without damaging them – all the things companies would otherwise have to pay for.”
Daniel Mouawad, Chief Executive of South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP), welcomed guests to the launch and said: “This new driving training academy is a fantastic example of industry leading addressing industry needs and a true example that we hope others will follow.
“Logistics is a showcase sector for SEMLEP and we are committed to working with our logistics and skills partners to help businesses to recruit, skill and retain drivers.
Sara Homer, Chair of the Brackmills Business Improvement District (BID), added: “We are rightly proud that this Brackmills company is paving the way and being proactive about addressing the UK’s shortage of drivers. A huge congratulations to Syed and Elaine and their team.”
AE Driver Training and Recruitment is already working with the British Forces Resettlement Services (BFRS) to provide roles for local service personal due to come out of the military and has already secured 52 expressions of interest.