Building materials supplier Selco has launched its own programme offering staff the chance to train as HGV drivers. The business said that its new driver academy would aim to create dozens of qualified HGV drivers by May 2022 as the UK continued to face a mounting supply chain crisis caused by the skills shortage. The company which had been a victim of the shortage has been struggling to fill more than 20 driver vacancies which the new initiative would help address along with ongoing issues facing the wider haulage sector.
Selco, which is based in the Midlands has also increased its hourly pay rate for HGV drivers to £14 from the start of this month and £16 for those in London and across the south of England in a bid to attract new recruits. This came as Tesco, Asda and others have started to offer £1,000 starting bonuses to entice applicants.
Selco’s owner Grafton recently warned over soaring prices caused by the supply chain troubles, revealing the cost of materials in short supply had jumped by about 7.5 per cent compared with the same period a year ago.
This latest move by Selco follows the news last month that the Pertemps recruitment agency was offering training worth £5,000 for free to potential HGV drivers to help tackle the significant shortfall in qualified HGV drivers.
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