Canute Logistics and Wilko gear up to beat the HGV driver shortage with a new apprenticeship scheme

25/02/2016

National logistics provider Canute Group has joined forces with hardware and home goods retailer Wilko, a major customer, to launch a new driver apprenticeship scheme.

The move is in response to the growing driver shortage crisis.

The scheme, centred on Wilko depots at Nottinghamshire and South Wales, aims to give a new generation of would-be drivers the chance to overcome the rising costs of entering the industry, as well as securing a steady supply of skilled drivers for Canute.

It was developed Nicola ...

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P J
March 06, 2016 at 10:59 am
The shortage of drivers is down to one thing-
LOW PAY Canute and wilkos are among the the list of companies which have supressed wages to the same rate for the last ten years.
They spend thousands on new trucks gismos and cameras but care not one whit for the driver.
I worked one shift for wilko 9 years ago for more money than they are offering now. I would not consider applying to them for work for this reason.
We don’t all become drivers because we want to drive round in big trucks!

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Martin Burton
May 26, 2017 at 12:03 pm
Just read the article about a shortage of new young drivers entering the transport industry..they have failed to recognise why so many like myself walked out when the CPC became compulsory.

Growing competition from East European drivers became the norm..I know because I worked as a class 1 HGV at Poundland and as agency was the only gateway into the industry I watched the Polish take all the work no matter how many mistakes or how much vehicle damage was caused.

So like so many others of my age it was no longer an industry to make a living in.

Why or why are the young not choosing the transport industry ?

Firstly. It is probably the crippling financial costs of obtaining the training which is compounded by the Governmental add on costs ..in other words the unnecessary driver CPC, which we all know is nothing more than a way of making money for the Govt ..if you are in doubt ask yourself if it has reduced the accident rate.

Another factor for the young not choosing this career is the long hours for poor hourly wages combined with the lack of prestige..the job sucks ..if you are not a target for anyone in Authority then your own company is blowing bubbles up your Ass !

Many of us tried warning the Captains of industry that this was coming, but it was far more important to keep those Green Backs rolling in despite the pain and division it brought our own UK drivers!

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