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Driver learners: from left, Sean McGrae, senior manager – national transport at Tarmac, Sgt Major Steve Garrett, a recruiter in the north west of England for the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Gerrard’s of Swinton MD Sebastian Gerrard and Renault Trucks UK MD Carlos Rodrigues

Lancashire tipper operator Gerrard’s of Swinton has opened a new training centre to expand its capacity to train ex-services personnel as HGV drivers.

The company, founded in 1864 by Jonathan Gerrard, is now run by his great-great grandson, MD and former soldier Sebastian Gerrard. He spent six years in the King’s Royal Hussars where he crewed Challenger 2 battle tanks and trained HGV drivers while serving in Northern Ireland.

Since leaving the forces, Gerrard has made it his mission to offer free training and support to ex-servicemen and women, and working with charities including Walking with the Wounded and supporters such as Tarmac and Renault Trucks he has helped 600 ex soldiers build careers as drivers.

“After the 100% success rate of our free courses that have helped hundreds of people from long term unemployment in to jobs over the last few years, we have invested in a new training school that will offer over 200 free courses giving more out of work ex-services personnel access to our industry and helping to increase desperately needed driver numbers,” said Gerrard. “Up to now we have funded this entirely ourselves, but now we will also provide training to third parties so we can help more people.

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Left to right, training centre MD Eric Twemlow, the ceremonial mayor of Salford Cllr Ronald Wilson and Gerrard’s of Swinton MD Sebastian Gerrard

“The programme is an accessible way for our heroes to become productive members of society again while also helping them to avoid pitfalls in their life such as ending up on the streets. After receiving their training, all trainees will have priority over any jobs available with us or other companies throughout the country.”

Gerrard’s provides induction and refresher training for most of Tarmac tipper drivers, and of Gerrard’s 80 employed drivers around half are ex military. “A lot of former soldiers struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder and we are sensitive to that,” said Gerrard. “We can take someone from being homeless right the way through to a career as a driver.”

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