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Recruitment pilot seeks participants
Page 8
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Only 10 hauliers have shown an interest so far in taking part in the 'Respect for People' pilot programme—a voluntary scheme designed to boost driver recruitment and retention, and encourage more young people into the industry (C/l426 June-2 July).
The national roll-out of the programme in March next year will enable employers to measure their performance against industry standards in six key areas, including train ing, welfare, safety and professional standards. Project manager Peter Dresser says more hauliers and distribution firms are welcome to get involved before the pilot starts in November.
'We can probably cope with up to 50 firms for the pilot,' says Dresser. He defends accusations that the scheme will not encourage companies with poor records in training and welfare to take part.
"Obviously, we can't force people to participate but we hope that when it is up and running they might see the benefits."
Sally Thornley, skills issue manager at the Freight Transport Association, says it is important for the industry to quantify the problem and then analyse what can be done. "Industry really has to get to grips with the issue of the driver shortage—which is only going to get worse with the Working Time Directive and the ageing workforce.
"On its own, the 'Respect for People' scheme is not going to solve the skills shortage, because we are dealing with a complex set of problems: but it can help."
Hauliers themselves have welcomed the idea. which grew out of the Road Haulage Forum's training sub-group.
David Cotton, co-owner of Cotton Transport in Burton on Trent, Derbyshire, is supportive.
"Something definitely needs to be done tc improve respect for dnvers, as they still get a bad name. "This doesn't sound a bad idea and I believe it stands a chance."
• Viebslte: vivivi.respect forpeeple.org