CEMEX UK hire their first ever driver apprentices

Nine young apprentices begin one-year training programme following national recruitment drive

NINE driver apprentices have started on the first ever CEMEX UK driver apprentice scheme, a one-year programme being run in conjunction with logistics solutions training organization Systems Training. At the end of the year each of the candidates will achieve a DGV apprentice qualification.

The nine apprentices, all of whom are 23 years of age or under, joined the scheme after a national recruitment drive to encourage young people into the industry. CEMEX received 50 applications for the nine positions based at the company’s quarries and logistics depots throughout the country.

‘This is the first time that we have introduced a scheme in logistics to deal with an industry-wide issue,’ commented Matthew Wild, vice-president of cement commercial, logistics and building products.

‘The scheme is in response to a national shortage of drivers. Only 0.2% of our drivers are under 25 years of age and 10% of our LGV drivers are aged 60 or over. In the next five years 10% of our drivers will retire.

‘This scheme will help to fill the gap and, if successful, we plan to run it every year.’

As well as producing highly skilled drivers trained to put safety first, the apprentices will graduate with a sound knowledge of the CEMEX business and undergo significant personal development.

Each driver apprentice has a driver and logistics manager mentor with two regional logistics managers, Carl Milton and Rob Wilkinson, overseeing the scheme.