Logistics firms team up to help Transaid provide HGV driver training simulator to Zambia

Logistics firms Clipper Logistics, Malcolm Group, XPO and software provider Big Change have joined forces to donate an HGV driver training simulator for trainee HGV drivers in Zambia.

The donation to the Industrial Training Centre (ITC) in Zambia, which transport charity Transaid has partnered with since 2008, follows a visit to the centre in 2018 by representatives of the four companies.

The simulator allows new drivers to spend additional hours behind the wheel in the safety of the classroom before practical training within ITC’s grounds and then on quiet back roads with their instructor – often in a car at first – before taking to the wheel of one of ITC’s full-size training vehicles.

Mike Daly, non-exec director of Clipper Logistics and a Transaid ambassador, sourced the simulator from Clipper’s in-house training team, and then secured funds and expertise from the group to cover essential IT upgrades and shipping whilst Bishopsgate crated the components without charge, to ensure their safe delivery.

The four partners also covered the travel expenses for Clipper’s national driver training manager, Jon Aspden, to visit Zambia and install the simulator with the ITC team just prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Once installed the need for further upgrades were identified, and the group collectively sourced the components during 2020, which were then delivered by a member of the Transaid team this year, enabling the simulator to be commissioned into service.

Daly said: “This is a wonderful example of a group of companies, including competitors, coming together to support Transaid and ITC. A huge effort went into this project, and whilst the pandemic put the brakes on temporarily, we’re delighted to see it now actively in use.

“We are all very confident it will bring genuine value to ITC, and prove particularly valuable for first-time HGV drivers, since any time behind the wheel of a simulator brings zero road risk and helps to protect the training fleet from the heavy wear and tear on driveline components which you get with new drivers. A simulator also adds a level of repeatability and flexibility which can be beneficial when training, before heading out onto the road.”

Transaid’s partnership with ITC is focused on helping raise the standards of HGV, PSV and forklift driver training. The project directly supports Transaid’s belief that every driver should be able to leave for a day’s work without the fear they may not come home because of a lack of training, or dangerous vehicles and roads.

Caroline Barber, chief executive of Transaid, said: “We are hugely grateful to Big Change, Clipper Logistics, Malcolm Group and XPO for securing the simulator and working with the talented team at ITC to ensure it was installed in Lusaka. It’s an amazing resource; and we’re confident it will help drive standards of training at ITC even higher, alongside the existing classroom, workshop and practical on-road teaching.

“The ITC is well positioned to become a centre of excellence in the region and access to this type of technology is a vital part of that journey.”