End-to-end logistics company, XPO, has created a Female Driver Academy in an effort to attract more women into the industry.
The female drivers who join the academy will undertake a 12 to 16-week program using the company’s own internal driver training team to develop their skills.
The goal is to create a corps of highly skilled and professional female drivers who are intimately familiar with the company’s customers and products, XPO said.
“We will be employing the candidates from day one so they can earn a living while training to become a vital part of our team,” said Vice President, Human Resources—UK and Ireland, Lynn Brown. “Our trainer will buddy our candidates, ensuring they can learn from someone who has first-hand experience of what they are going through and can provide the best possible support.”
Among the first candidates is Steph who is already a DAF commercial vehicle parts delivery driver. She said she is “beyond excited” to get behind the wheel of a truck and continue a family tradition of driving HGVs. As a child, she spent her summer months touring Europe in her grandfather’s truck, completing continental deliveries.
“This is a great opportunity to get more women involved in the HGV industry,” she said. “There are other ways to achieve your license, but most HGV jobs require years of experience. The academy gives you more knowledge and experience.”
The XPO Female Driver Academy is part of the company’s Driver Excellence Academy which was established to help people from all backgrounds who wish to train as an HGV driver. The only requirement is that participants must be aged 18.
The first Female Driver Academy candidates are expected to start HGVs full-time for XPO by August this year.
In other news, Yusen Logistics Benelux has opened a new warehouse for Belgium’s largest pharmaceutical company.
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