It's just too expensive
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Labour reckons a new 'bobby tax' will result in a police officer recruitment crisis. MP Siobhain McDonagh told the Commons that the Certificate in Knowledge of Policing, which costs £1,000 and must be passed by all new recruits, will deter young people from poorer backgrounds from joining the force. Prime minister David Cameron says the aim of the qualification is to drive up standards. Sound familiar? There's little difference between this and the Driver CPC, and I don't hear any politicians condemning that. Throw the HGV driving test into the mix, which costs about £2,500, and it's incredible that
this industry attracts any new drivers at all.
These are sentiments echoed by the young drivers I met at Notts-based Danjak over the weekend. One of them had spent £3,500 obtaining his C+E Licence, money he had to find himself. He says it was a struggle, and wants to know why there isn't any government funding to help young wannabe truck drivers like himself. I wonder how many potential youngsters the industry is losing as a result of this expensive entry barrier. Will Shiers Editor lawillshiers