Wm Armstrong
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it was the foot-and-mouth crisis in 2001 that inspired Longtown, Cumbria-based Wm Armstrong to think creatively in order to plug a skills gap.
"Livestock drivers were not just a rare breed, they were almost an endangered species," explains managing director Jaknifer Whyberd, who found herself battling against a chronic shortage of drivers following the epidemic.
We had to act quickly and creatively to increase driver numbers."
The family-owned haulage company turined to a local training company, System Grioup, to set up a transport apprenticeship scheme. Six young people were employed; within 18 months five of them were completing the foundation stage of their apprenticeship and were out on the road, driving trucks for the firm. The scheme has clearly been a success last year the company won the 'medium employer of the year' category in the national Apprenticeship Awards.
"The apprentices are highly motivated because most training is on the job," says training manager Steve Whyberd. "They start with forklift truck driving. At age 17 they take their car driving test and start local delivery work. At 18 they pass their test for rigid vehicles. Progression then is to the advanced apprenticeship, learning to drive our 44-tonne articulated vehicles. plus ti take the specialised qualification in livestock transportation. Armstrong is or of the few companies able to train and assess drivers for this."
Jennifer Whyberd adds: "I'm really prc that we haven't just survived the foot-anc mouth breakoutwe've come through ■■■ the business in a stronger position."