The move follows Transport Secretary, Patrick McLoughlin’s warning of driver shortages ahead of Christmas, which saw consumers urged to shop earlier to avoid disappointment.
Building on 33 years’ experience in the logistics industry, the new company will provide professionally trained delivery drivers for local businesses.
Elaine Harries, who setup the new company with business partner Syed Ziaullah, said: ‘There’s currently a major shortage of Category C + E drivers here in the UK, while at the same time the ever increasing popularity of internet retailing has meant there is greater demand for drivers than ever before.
‘In order to attract more people into the industry we’ve made the decision to fully fund the cost of acquiring up to a Category C+E licence, with a guaranteed full time job at the end for those that pass.’
Talking about the types of candidates the new firm is looking for, Harries added: ‘We’re open to any applicant with the drive and determination to do well however, we are particularly interested in young people. With more than 250,000 drivers expected to retire in the next 15 years we hope that by offering to pay the £2,500 cost of a licence application we can encourage more people age 21 and up to consider a career in logistics.’
As well as working for Action Express, drivers will be made available to other businesses in the local area. Concluding the reasons why she decided to launch the new company Harris remarked: ‘We often find it difficult to find good quality drivers. After more than 30 years of working in the logistics industry and with the lack of drivers reaching crisis point, we thought who better to train and recruit reliable professional drivers for the local area.’
The company is already working with the British Forces Resettlement Services (BFRS) to provide roles for local service personal due to come out of the military.