Since May, more than 400 employees from Amazon’s fulfilment centres, sort centres and delivery stations have started their company-funded lorry driver training. The first drivers will be available for work within the next fortnight.
Career Choice is a programme that provides funding for education, offering to pre-pay 95% of tuition and associated fees for nationally recognised courses, up to £8,000 over four years.
The HGV driver training is not the only option available, employees can also choose to learn accountancy or become software developers. The courses designed to help employees pursue careers at Amazon or elsewhere.
Amazon announced in May it was investing £10 million over three years in the Career Choice programme to train up to 5,000 employees in new skills to meet the UK’s future employment needs.
Amazon is also partnering with the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and local businesses on the programme to identify regional skills shortages and focus training on local demand.
“We’re delighted to be able to support more than 400 of our employees to achieve their ambition to become HGV drivers through our Career Choice programme and play a part in helping to boost the haulage industry,” said Jonathan Gal, Amazon’s Vice President of UK Operations, commenting on the news.