ones sets up IGV agency
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• Walsall-based S Jones Transport Services Group has started up its own agency to combat the problem of finding top-calibre temporary drivers.
S Jones Manpower Services will provide fully-qualified HGV Class I, 11 and III drivers to companies of all sizes throughout the Midlands who use agency drivers, says bureau manager Kate Brennan. But the advantage S Jones will have over other agencies, she believes, is in its stringent driver testing.
"We will give every driver a full two-hour test on the road, in a fully laden vehicle, under the eye of an RUTH instruc tor," says Brennan. "This way we will be able to conduct a full assessment of their driving ability and can then guarantee that the drivers we send out are competent."
In addition to the two-hour road test, each prospective temporary driver will be interviewed, be asked to take a written test and have their references checked. "We know of many companies, over the years, who have had accidents using temporary drivers, so we want the quality of our drivers to be assured," Brennan explains.
The agency, open since the beginning of August, now has 20 drivers lined up for work with a further 30 to be interviewed next week. "We have not yet had to reject anyone," says Brennan.
S Jones Manpower Services is also building up its client base in the hope that by this time next year the agency will be in a position to guarantee many of their drivers full employment of 40 hours a week.
Other long-term plans include the possibility of training drivers to become temporaries. S Jones has a training centre facility and Brennan says the company hopes to be able to train and upgrade drivers in the future.