A GXO graduate management trainee has swapped Kent for Kampala while she undergoes a six-month secondment to train HGV drivers in Uganda.
Tessa Wilson (pictured left) is working as a project officer for the second phase of Transaid’s professional driver training Uganda project, which is helping the country to respond to a huge rise in demand for truck drivers.
The role sees her swap her placement at a GXO facility in Kent for the tropical climate of Kampala, working with non-governmental organisation Safe Way Right Way driver training centre and local truck operators.
She said: “This is one of the biggest challenges I’ve taken on and I’m really enjoying the opportunity to work in such a different environment.
“I’m only a few weeks in, but I’ve already learnt new skills and it is wonderful to be contributing to such a hugely important project.”
Transaid and Safe Way Right Way have been tasked with training 750 drivers in Uganda between April 2021 and April 2023, of which at least 25 should be female – a goal which has already been exceeded, with more than 40 female drivers having completed the training to-date.