In a bid to help address the ongoing HGV driver shortage in the United Kingdom, major logistics firms such as DHL and other Blue Chip companies are taking part in a recruitment drive across 30 different prisons in England and Wales. The event, called ‘Unlocking Retail & Logistics’, is part of a wider drive to get more prison leavers into work.

As well as helping to address the dearth of qualified HGV drivers, government statistics have shown that ex-offenders who find full-time employment are as much as 9% less likely to become a recidivist. Furthermore, a survey showed that 90% of businesses who employed prison leavers said they were trustworthy, motivated and turned up each day. 

Growing the Economy & Cutting Crime

The scheme was recently announced by UK Prisons Minister Damian Hinds, who had this to say on the subject…“There is a golden opportunity right now for companies working to fill vacancies by taking on prison leavers. Not only does it help grow the economy, but it is proven to cut crime”.

O’Neill & Brennan – a recruitment & logistics firm in the construction industry – is one of the companies involved in the scheme, and over the last two years, it has welcomed more than 180 prison-leavers into employment. Also, more than 60 prisoners are currently released on temporary licence to work each day on location. 

The firm’s logistics operations director, Barry Mitchell, stated, “There is a lack of skill and talent in the industry currently, and we are finding that there is a huge gap in the retail and logistics sector, particularly in entry-level roles.

By working directly with prisons, we are engaging with new and exciting talent early so that when they reach us, we are employing skilled and job-ready people who have already been trained in custody. The attitude and hard work prison leavers put into their job, and their desire to change their past and prove themselves, means that they are dedicated and motivated employees.”

John – An Example of The Scheme’s Success 

A great example of the scheme’s success can be seen in one particular employee referred to simply as John. The employee was taken on by O’Neill & Brennan following his release from prison and has since worked his way up to survivor – even covering the role of logistics manager when the need arises. 

Providing a view from the other side, John was effusive in his praise for the company and the scheme that brought him there. He said, “Having employment secured ahead of my release really grew my self-confidence and gave me hope that I would be given a second chance to prove myself.

I am a real-life example of how you can turn your life around if given the right opportunities, and it feels rewarding to encourage others to explore a similar route.“

Smart Strategies Are Needed to Support the UK Supply Chain 

This scheme is welcomed by the HGVC team, as we understand that you have to think differently in order to combat the UK supply chain’s current problem of too few drivers. As well as helping to reduce crime by preventing recidivism and allowing people to turn their lives around, the move will result in more qualified people, and that’s got to be a good thing. 

As ever, we’ll continue to do what we’re best known for – delivering scalable, industry-leading HGV licence acquisition programs with the highest pass rates in the country. Offered via our national network of over 60 training centres, we have the capacity and expertise and skills needed to meet any scale of need. 

If you’d like to know more about us and how we do things, please take a moment to browse our website. Alternatively, to speak to us directly about your training needs, simply call us on 0330 818 8888 or click on ‘contact us’, and we’ll be happy to give you the help you need.