The delivery management firm has developed a multi-level approach to training for potential HGV drivers. It is providing HGV apprenticeships to anyone over 18 with a driving licence and is also offering roles for those who either drive the company’s vans or are working in a warehouse while undergoing their HGV training.
Whistl is also offering to pay for Class 1 training for those who already have a Class 2 licence and offering to pay for the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) for those who are HGV 1 Classified.
The company is planning to graduate 100 recruits to the Whistl Driver Academy in its first year. The academy has been structured to appeal to new people entering the industry including long-term unemployed, young, or female applicants who have not considered a career as an HGV driver due to the cost of qualifications – typically £7,000 – or the work-life balance.
Whistl is also offering a £1,000 signing on bonus for qualified Class 1 drivers.
The business has a fleet of over 500 vehicles to move mail and parcels across the UK. It said the jobs offer “a good work balance”, with no overnight stays and no multi-pick up and drop offs. There are a range of shifts/hours available including full-time and part-time, and there is very little manual handling.
Whistl CEO Nick Wells said: “It is important that we invest in the next generation of HGV drivers, and we are delighted to open the Whistl Driver Academy for people who may not have considered this career choice.
“We are a people business and the role our drivers play as ambassadors for the company is very important.”
The UK is said to currently be short of around 100,000 HGV drivers, which has contributed to recent disruption to food and fuel deliveries. The government has said 5,000 foreign HGV drivers will be offered temporary visas to come to the UK for three months in the run-up to Christmas, to provide short-term relief for the haulage industry.
Separately, Whistl has been approved by the UK’s Border Force and HMRC to become a Customs Clearance Agent. The business can now offer air, sea, and road clearance for mail and parcels entering the UK and has appointed a dedicated customs clearance manager and support team, all based at Whistl’s International Gateway near Heathrow.
Finally, the company has promoted Jon Stockton to managing director of fulfilment. Stockton, who previously worked at FedEx, joined Whistl earlier this year as a part of a restructure of its fulfilment operations. He takes over from Noel Lambert and will also join the Whistl executive board.
Headquartered in Marlow, the Whistl group of companies has a turnover of more than £685m and handles over 3.6bn items a year.
