Investing in the Next Generation of HGV Drivers

The NWH Group are committed to investing in talent growth through apprenticeships, scholarships, and development programs. One of our top priorities is to support a new driver pool into an industry which is currently experiencing a HGV driver shortage. The process to achieve the HGV driver qualification can be a lengthy and difficult one, and one that can seem out of reach for lots of people due to the number of tests, courses and the expensive fees that are required. That’s where we step in.

Our HGV driver apprenticeship scheme allows young adults to learn on the job and get career specific qualifications as well as learning valuable skills and gaining experience in the field. And what’s more, we have increased the number of apprentices for 2022 from two to eight. 

The scheme, launched in 2013, offers an incredibly high level of training from our experienced and knowledgeable Mentor Drivers and our apprentices are put through their SVQ Driving Goods Vehicles qualification, which is a SCQF Level 6 Qualification. This is an addition to a Level 3 Modern Apprenticeship in Freight Logistics – Driving Goods Vehicles.

In 2022, we recognised the lack of opportunity there were for young people looking to get into the profession, paired with the fact that the UK was facing a severe shortage of HGV drivers, this was the perfect opportunity to increase the number of apprenticeships available within our business.

We equip our apprentices with the skills and knowledge they need to get full time careers as HGV drivers and we ensure that there is no cost to the individual applying as all their fees are fully funded by the government, including theory and medicals.

NWH then go a step further and offer full time roles for successful apprentices, taking them from apprentice wages to full time driver wages after successfully completing their 12-month training. To date, we have had 28 apprentices, and we are proud of the achievements of every one of these candidates whether they stayed with the business or took opportunity elsewhere.

Mark Williams, CEO at The NWH Group, said:

“Here at The NWH Group, we understand that younger people may find it difficult to find opportunities within this industry, especially if they don’t have the resources. That’s why, we have increased our apprenticeships number from two to eight apprentices per year. We hope that more and more apprentices will come forward to take this opportunity and I look forward to seeing our new apprentices flourish within the business over the next year.”

England’s Apprenticeship Week is between the 7^th and 13^th February 2022 and Scotland’s is between the 7^th and 11^th March 2022.