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Poaching hgv drivers
Page 91
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The Ministry (Department of Employment) as recently as April 5, have re-affirmed that "the Government take the view that the training of heavy goods vehicle drivers was primarily the responsibility of industry". Very strong objection is taken to this view for the simple reason that the industry is not constructed in any way to further this idea. The facts are that some firms are training for the industry and the position of -poaching" by the non-co-operative firms is now approaching such dimensions that trainingminded firms are starting to fail to train new drivers.
Training costs money and I find it absolutely impossible to believe that the Government do not realize that most haulage firms just cannot afford to train to a standard for the rest of the industry. A newcomer needs 12 weeks to make him really employable and the cost should be borne by those who use these operatives. The employers are not only haulage firms but own-account people who incidentally employ just as many drivers. Can one reasonably expect that small firms who are willing to train will continue to do so when "poaching" is so rampant?
Either, everyone who is an employer of hgv drivers, pays a levy sufficient to enable the Training Board to pay a grant sufficient to cover the cost of training or the Government puts such training into the framework of the Training Opportunities Scheme (TOPS). Under either of these schemes the industry will pay for the training.
I am sick of the attitudes which say that the industry will pay, knowing full well that it is just not possible.
So far as a contract system is concerned what recourse would an employer have if the employee went against the contract? Absolutely none.
My Group's fourth annual report shows our progress. We have conscientiously carried out all the requirements of the Road Transport Industry Training Board. We have committed ourselves, as requested, in future planning. We are now told that existing schemes will be encouraged until 1974/75. We have been "conned" and we intend to fight back. We need help to make our voice heard — not in a militant way of getting something for nothing but an honest acknowledgement that our efforts over the last four years can be sustained.
My Group, like many more, are enlightened to the needs of transport — cut them down and we go back to the old slip-shod ways of the past.
W. H. DIXON, Group Training Manager, Hull and District Road Training Group, Anlaby, Hull.