As reported in the Retail Gazette and elsewhere, Poundland are to offer lorry drivers a £1000 bonus, as well as training to upgrade their skills, as part of a package to address the nationwide driver shortage.
As part of the offer, Poundland shall foot the bill for HGV Class 2 licence holders to obtain HGV Class 1 licence. The HGV Class 2 drivers will require six months of experience, and shall be hired on a 12 month training contract when they get their Class 1 licence.
The offer applies to both existing staff and new recruits.
In addition, existing drivers who work between July and September will receive a £1000 bonus in October. Moreover, in January, another bonus of the same amount will be granted to drivers working between October and December.
Commenting on the training and bonus schemes, Poundland logistics director Tim Goalen said:
“We’re continuing to invest in our distribution teams to keep operations running smoothly. Funding the costs of getting a HGV Class 1 licence helps drivers get in the career fast lane, with more employment opportunities and higher earnings potential.”
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