Eddie Stobart adds driver training and recruitment strings to its business bow

Eddie Stobart has relaunched its Training Academy and Driving School, offering would-be new HGV drivers finance to help fund their licence acquisition and a guaranteed interview with Britain’s best-known haulier.

The company had an impressive display at Truckfest Northwest, both to recruit already qualified drivers and promote the opening of its well-respected academy – run by former Stobart driver Chris Grice - to non-Stobart drivers.

The centre is located at Eddie Stobart’s head office in Appleton near Warrington and is accredited by the Scottish Qualifications Authority, JAUPT, TfL and the RHA to offer a wide range of courses including ADR, aggregates, Driver CPC and crane operations for drivers as well as training for other logistics staff.

“We have always maintained good standards of training so can now commercialise it by offering it to other drivers and companies,” said Eddie Stobart HR director Angelina Miley. “We plan to build the training business up and expect significant numbers to pass through the Academy.”

Stobart had a long-running association with training provider System Group - which was owned by Miley’s former employer Bibby Group - together winning the 2012 Motor Transport Apprenticeship of the Year award for their driver apprenticeship programme. Now Stobart works with the National Logistics Academy’s 25 partner training providers around the UK.

Stobart acquired the remaining 50% of Kettering-based driver recruitment specialists The Logistics People in August following its float on the AIM in April.

“Stobart needs the flexibility of having employed and self-employed drivers,” said Miley. “We employ 5,500 drivers which is 70% of the workforce. Drivers have always been attracted to work for Stobart because of our excellent training and high operating standards. We don’t struggle for drivers.”