An Ombudsman to help jobless drivers?
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On reading the report under the above heading in CM of August 18 I was once again appalled at the apparent ignorance displayed by an MP. I suggest that Mr Garrett should try to establish the facts before risking making himself appear ridiculous. It is just not true that a driver automatically loses his hgv licence after six months' unemployment, and the Department of Employment has for four years or more been circulating a booklet, which even a 10-year-old schoolboy could understand, which makes nonsense of Mr Garrett's statement.
His reference to firms being asked to employ unemployed drivers, and arrange tests, is also mistaken. I have been operating a scheme for unemployed drivers, fully supported by the Department of Employment and the Road Transport Industry Training Board, completely free; in fact they are paid money in excess of unemployment pay while being trained here, and are put to the test on the vehicles they are trained on, with the test fee paid, and the vehicle supplied free.
Since I started the scheme, which I designed a year ago, I have successfully trained over 150 and placed them in jobs. Since November the scheme has been nationwide but in some areas it has been obstructed by none other than my own trade union, of which I was an official for over 40 years in road transport. So direct your energies in this direction, Mr Garrett, stop playing politics and your efforts might prove worth while, as there is no need to revise the regulations.
Could I suggest that the signatory to this letter is your Ombudsman to contact for facts, or should I say your Talisman? And I am not receiving £5,000 a year!
JACK WOOD, Manager and Group Training Officer, Manchester Transport Training Group. (Regional Trade Group Secretary (retired) Region 6, TGWU)