Smaller hauliers failing behind in staff training
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• Hauliers are spending record amounts on training staff but the smallest companies are still lagging behind in providing their workers with recognised qualifications.
The warning coincides with the award of the 500th National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) to be awarded in the haulage industry since the scheme started in November 1993.
Road Haulage & Distribution Training Council chief executive David Scott says: "NVQs and training in general are really taking off. But while the larger firms have been quick to adopt training programmes, the smaller firms with less resources have been slow to take it up."
The main advantage of NVQs, says Scott, is that they provide on-the-job training and a recognised qualification at the end of it.
While the larger operators such as TNT, TDG and Harris Logistics have recognised the need for training staff, most hauliers run fewer than five trucks. It is this group we have to get the message over to," says Scott.
One firm that has decided to put staff through a year's course is Somerset livestock haulier AE George & Son. Operations manager Eddie Harper says that the first five of 23 drivers will be put through an NVQ course over the coining year. We want to give our professional drivers the chance to gain a qualification," he says.
Other small hauliers interested in training staff should contact their local TEC, or the RHDTC on (01923) 858461.