UK-based training is key to successful EU driver relocation

Citation

(2006), "UK-based training is key to successful EU driver relocation", Industrial and Commercial Training, Vol. 38 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/ict.2006.03738dab.006

UK-based training is key to successful EU driver relocation

A transport and logistics staffing business, which is one of the few UK agencies to train foreign drivers in Britain rather than in their home country, has placed 200 Eastern European drivers in permanent jobs in Britain over the last 15 months.

The ADR Resources EU Driver Relocation Programme is based on the idea that foreign drivers will learn and adapt only if the driver training is carried out in a structured way in the UK.

The drivers are trained by West Hertfordshire Training, which has found that four out of five drivers brought in by ADR are initially graded “well below standard and lacking in confidence” because of the very different road conditions in their home country. But following the training, four out of five drivers pass the rigorous test set by the two companies.

Bill Henderson, training manager at West Hertfordshire Training, said: “There is little value for either the driver or client if the driver is trained in his or her own country. The road conditions, vehicles and style of driving are so different. Unless they are patiently and professionally trained in the UK before they start to work commercially, there are likely to be problems.”