Female Pharmacy Assistant Becomes A Lorry Driver
A female driver for a Somerset based delivery company has just passed her LGV C driving licence, having been trained through Somax Driver Training, part of the Weston College Group.
Six months ago, Emma Wilson aged 32 from Weston-super-Mare, was a Dispensing Assistant at a Pharmacy and after a chance conversation with a Director of Jays Logistics, she decided to change her career path and joined the company as a van driver.
Emma was then signed up to the government’s trailblazer apprenticeship scheme for Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) Driver, this was done in conjunction with award winning trainers from Backwell based Somax Driver Training. On Monday 19th March 2018, Emma passed her LGV C driving test with only four minors.
The transport and logistics industry is heavily male orientated and the training required makes it seem expensive to get into, but across the UK there is a shortage of around 50,000 HGV drivers. With companies like Jays Logistics, in partnership with Somax and Weston College, offering many ways to get into the industry from warehouse, driving and office apprenticeships, this could be set to change.
Paul Phillips, Operations Director at Jays Logistics, said: “When Emma joined us in October 2017 we both took a leap of faith, Emma had never driven anything bigger than a Fiat 500!
“However, we took a chance; Emma took an initial drop in wages for the potential future earnings and a career doing something she enjoys.
“In five months Emma has learnt the ropes and has been driving a 4m Sprinter since her start, her confidence has soared, she is a well-liked, valuable and hardworking member of the team.”
