Training row
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TRADE unions unhappy about a removals industry training scheme are calling for an end to the new scheme. The trade unions' main complaint centres on the fact that while training of new staff goes on, hgv drivers are unemployed.
So far only a few small companies have responded to the scheme, aimed at advancing a more professionalimage for the furniture industry. According to sources, larger organisations are also unhappy with the scheme.
The scheme was introduced towards the end of last year to provide fully trained operatives recruited at the age of 16 years.
It is linked with the Young Driver Training scheme and has been designed by the Road Transport Industry Training Board for the removals industry.
Training involves educating the trainee in the duties of porter and packer and provides for him to obtain a Class 3 hgv driving licence at 18 years of age.
However, the trade unions are against further training and want firms to be compelled to employ only qualified drivers (see Dear Sir, CM, last week). But such drivers are not necessarily trained in household removal skills.
A recent Which? magazine report has highlighted the special relationship which removals staff have with customers, and untrained staff could jeopardise that relationship, the British Association of Removers told CM this week.