CEMEX repeat Driving Apprenticeship Scheme

19 August, 2015

Company launches 2015 apprentice driver scheme following success of last year’s pilot programme

FOR the second year in succession, CEMEX are running their Driving Apprenticeship Scheme with the aim of recruiting 18 young people who want a career driving aggregate tippers and cement tankers. Of the 18 successful candidates, 12 will be based at quarries, wharves or depots gaining experience with aggregate tippers.

Following last year’s successful pilot scheme, this year the programme has been extended to cement logistics, with six apprentice drivers to be based at the company’s three cement operations: Rugby, South Ferriby and Tilbury.

With an aging driver population, the apprenticeship scheme is helping to address a recognized UK skills gap by recruiting individuals aged 18 to 23. Currently, 62% of drivers in the industry are aged 45 years or older, with only 1% under 25 years old.

To help meet the long-term requirement for younger skilled drivers, the year-long programme is once again being run in conjunction with training partner Systems Training, and offers a framework to achieve a Driving Goods Apprenticeship Level 2 and Category C+E licence.

By taking part in the programme, the apprentices will learn about CEMEX’s health and safety standards and customer expectations, gain driving experience, and be rewarded with a nationally recognized qualification. Seventy percent of the programme is dedicated to hands-on experience.

‘We very much hope we can find the high-calibre apprentices who want to play a key role in CEMEX UK. They will be based at our operations throughout the country with experienced logistics experts to mentor them,’ explained Dave Hart, CEMEX’s logistics and supply chain director.

He added: ‘It’s a challenging scheme but it will give the young person a skill and career for life. They will be joining a talented and experienced logistics team which, in total, operates more than 300 vehicles travelling 12 million miles a year to deliver vital materials to build our homes, hospitals, roads and much more.’