Premier Logistics has launched an apprenticeship scheme to encourage local young people to join its Leicester-based operation.

The Pall-Ex member will ultimately take on four youngsters to work in different areas of the business: accounts, vehicle maintenance, transport operations and customer service.

Mark Steel, commercial manager, told Motortransport.co.uk that in the past “nine times out of 10, we would look for experienced people that had already worked at other haulage companies” when trying to fill vacancies.

“When we actually looked around our business we saw a workforce that was in desperate need of a succession plan.  We decided to launch an initiative to take on and invest in local youngsters to enter the logistics sector.”

So far, three of the apprentices have already started work at Premier, with a fourth candidate still being sought for the customer service position.

The apprenticeships have been developed in conjunction with Stephenson College in Coalville.

Steel added: “We now have an injection of young blood and a much better vibe in the business from local youngsters who have been given an opportunity. We are measuring and highlighting their progress in our monthly newsletter.”

Premier Logistics recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary. It has grown from its one-van roots to have around 200 trucks and trailers today and an operation spanning pallets, general haulage and a warehousing division based across two sites measuring  more than 230,000ft².

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