Xpo Logistics has started the activities of the Female Driver Academy in the UK and Ireland, targeting women driving industrial vehicles. Increasing female employment is one of the ways the transportation industry is addressing the driver shortage. Participants will undergo an intensive 12-16 week training program developed by Xpo Logistics' internal training group to enhance and refine their skills. The goal is to create a group of highly qualified and professional female drivers, well-acquainted with the company’s clients and products. This project is supported by the client Saint-Gobain UK and Ireland, which will offer job roles in their British Gypsum and Pam operations.
The program has already begun with a few days of candidate evaluation. “We will hire participants from day one, so they can earn a living while training to become a vital part of our team,” explains Lynn Brown, Vice President of Human Resources for Xpo Logistics in the UK and Ireland. “Our trainers will work alongside the candidates, ensuring they learn from someone with direct experience and receive the best possible support.” The first participants of the Female Driver Academy will start driving trucks for the multinational transport company by August 2024.
The Xpo Female Driver Academy is part of the company's Driver Excellence Academy, established to help individuals who wish to train as industrial vehicle drivers. The only requirement is that participants must be at least eighteen years old to drive a truck. Each trainee in the Driver Excellence Academy works towards obtaining the relevant qualification for the type of vehicle they wish to drive. For example, a category B driving license for cars can be upgraded to a C or CE. It is also possible to move directly from a category B license to a CE license.
