Macclesfield based Kinaxia Logistics has given a boost to its recruitment efforts as it looks to attract new HGV drivers into the industry, rather than poach from competitors.
The firm is looking to tackle driver shortages in the industry with a new recruitment strategy: by attracting new entrants to logistics such as veterans, ex-offenders, and by offering its own warehousing team the chance to switch careers.
Kinaxia Logistics has so far received around 200 applications to its training programme, with the firm meeting the £3,500 costs of acquiring a full HGV license with the first cohort of recruits already beginning the programme. Internally, the Macclesfield logistics firm has launched its ‘Warehouse to Wheels’ initiative to give warehousing staff the option to train for a Class 1 or Class 2 lorry driver’s license with the company.
Kinaxia Logistics chief executive Simon Hobbs said:
We need to bring in new entrants to the industry and, when they are ready to start their training and development with us, we will slot them into our family of businesses around the country.
“Our HR and recruitment teams are working flat out to screen the large number of applications received from candidates from a wide variety of backgrounds.”
“We are keen to provide veterans, ex-offenders and others with the opportunity to join the industry.
“The HGV driver shortage is not just a UK problem. Other European countries have the same dilemma and are facing similar challenges. The situation in Britain has been compounded by Brexit, as a large number of people from overseas have left the country for good.
“COVID has had an impact on the industry, too. While on furlough, some drivers got out of the habit of getting up at 4am and spending days on end away from home, and opted to pursue different careers.”