Veolia to give new drivers a £1,500 bonus

Veolia has said it will pay HGV drivers joining its municipal collection operations a £1,500 bonus, in an effort to keep vital recycling and waste collections going.

The company said the extra money was “part of a comprehensive strategy” that also included promoting the wider benefits on offer to challenge common perceptions about HGV driving roles.

Veolia said its drivers had the opportunity to work locally as part of their community, rather than undertaking the long-distance journeys and overnight stays that people often associated with truck driving. It added that the early starts and finishes meant the job could be more easily fitted around school runs or other family responsibilities.

Councils across the UK have reported staffing shortages in their waste collection divisions and some have suspended or reduced their services as a result.

In its recycling and waste operations, Veolia is currently reporting an average 15% vacancy rate for driving roles and it admitted it was proving “very challenging” to fill the resourcing gap.

Beth Whittaker, Veolia chief HR officer, said: “We hope the incentive will encourage drivers to consider working with us.

“We can offer part-time positions if wanted and a really good lifestyle – no overnights, no long-haul or overseas, so ideal for family time.”

This week, Next chief executive Lord Wolfson blamed the government’s “insane” immigration policy for the recruitment crisis in haulage, rather than Brexit.