Royal Mail: ensuring we have the best of the best on the UK’s roads

Royal Mail has revealed details of its new Large Good Vehicle (LGV) apprenticeship scheme that will give successful applicants a route to a new driving career.

The launch of the new apprenticeship programme coincides with the establishment of the Royal Mail Driver Academy, the umbrella initiative designed to recruit, develop and deliver driving excellence at Royal Mail.

Those interested in the apprenticeship scheme can apply from 6 December at https://jobs.royalmailgroup.com/

The Academy will also play host to a second scheme, the Driver Career Path – aimed at fast tracking drivers to become qualified to drive Medium Goods Vehicles (MGV) and LGVs.

These schemes are further examples of Royal Mail working alongside the CWU as they support new and existing colleagues from right across the UK who are interested in exploring driver career opportunities.

The Royal Mail LGV Apprenticeship

Royal Mail already runs the largest fleet of LGVs in the UK within the logistics industry. The launch of a dedicated LGV driver apprenticeship scheme will welcome the first cohort of around 20 apprentices in early 2022.

Delivered in partnership with Systems Group, the LGV Apprenticeship programme is designed for people with one to two years’ driving experience to give the opportunity to train as an LGV driver for Royal Mail.

The Apprenticeship programme is designed to be a mix of both in-the-cab, and classroom training delivered through our external partner and supported by qualified Royal Mail driver coaches.  The programme is designed to deliver a category C & E driving licence as well as structured development about the role of distribution in Royal Mail and the wider supply chain sector. It will also teach best practice, road safety and customer service.

Nick Dunn, National Distribution Director of Royal Mail said: “The new Academy will play a key role in ensuring we have the best of the best on the UK’s roads. As well as teaching a high level of driving skills, the scheme is key to attracting and developing the best new talent to have long and fulfilling driving careers with us. With the UK’s largest vehicle fleet, we are ideally placed to be at the forefront of training the next generation of drivers.”

The Academy’s Other Training Services

The Academy will also be home to a range of other training services for Royal Mail drivers designed to promote on-the-road excellence. This includes courses on Continuous Development to help drivers maintain skills and adhere to legal requirements, as well as top up training on core skills.