A NEW transport training company is aiming to improve the image of the ‘white van man’ by driving up standards in the logistics sector.Learning In Logisitics (LIL) offers bespoke training and development courses for anyone who drives commercially.
The Teesside company hopes to tap into the estimated 82,300 people in the North East who operate vehicles as part of their job, by offering training in everything from basic driving skills, to transporting hazardous goods and fuel efficiency.
LIL was formed in June and is part of the Billingham-based Nicholson Group, which oversees a series of transport and logistics interests across the north of England.
John Craig, Managing Director of LIL, said: “The number of people who drive as part of their job is huge – people tend to just think of bus and lorry drivers but there are delivery teams, council employees and contract workers too.
“There’s very little requirement for assessment of skills so inevitably we have the perception of the ‘white van man’ as unprofessional and taking risks on the road. At LIL we want to improve the image of drivers, especially those within small businesses.”
LIL is providing tailor-made training and development packages to any organisation that move goods or people as part of their business, including several North East councils. It has also teamed up with the insurance broker Hendersons to offer financial incentives to operators that organise planned training and annual assessments that lead to reduced accidents and injuries.
LIL is also partnering Hartlepool College of Further Education to deliver the Driver Continuous Professional Competency (CPC) qualification to lorry and bus drivers. The CPC aims to improve the knowledge and skill of drivers in terms of road safety, improved staff performance and more economical vehicle usage.
But while the CPC qualification is mandatory for PCV bus and LGV lorry operators, skills assessment for drivers of smaller vehicles remains at the discretion of employers.
Mr Craig, who has worked at within logistics for more than 20 years, added: “The vast majority of businesses in this sector are very small so they don’t necessarily know what to look for when recruiting new drivers.
“We are providing that service by helping employers to deliver the correct training and to implement procedures for recruiting suitably qualified drivers. We also offer operations training to give office-based staff awareness of the legislation around the carriage of dangerous goods and what documentation they need.”
He added: “I am thrilled to be leading this new venture and strongly believe that driver training delivers real impact and savings for small businesses by reducing road accidents, improving delivery times and reducing fuel consumption.”
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