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Kevin Birch and Bev Ellis of TRS Training pictured with Mark Taylor of RHA at the RHA's new Merseyside branch

RHA set up Merseyside base with TRS to increase industry awareness of apprenticeships in logistics

The UK’s leading haulage trade membership body has set up a branch in St Helens, Merseyside with the aim of increasing awareness of apprenticeships amongst employers in the region.

In September, The Road Haulage Association (RHA) started operating a regional team from the same premises as TRS Training Ltd, one of Liverpool City Region’s leading providers of apprenticeships for the logistics and road haulage sector. The move signifies the importance of the relationship between the RHA and TRS Training Ltd. 

Addressing skills shortages with apprenticeships

The two organisations have been working together since 2017. With a focus on using apprenticeships as a way of addressing skills shortages in the logistics and haulage industry, the partnership is now set to make a major impact on the sector in the Liverpool City Region.

The new office shares the existing premises of TRS in Micklehead Business Village, St Helens. 

TRS Training runs several apprenticeship programmes suited to the logistics sector including LGV Driving which sees students gaining their LGV license.  Also, they offer apprenticeships in warehousing, customer service, transport supervision and supply chain operations.

Apprenticeship awareness raising

Kevin Birch, director at TRS says:

“We’re very excited about the RHA opening a branch in the Liverpool City Region. Together we are planning some key apprenticeship awareness-raising activities targeting logistics employers in the region.”

The RHA has many leading UK haulage and logistics firms, LGV drivers and big employers such as retailers among its members. They campaign on behalf of the industry and run free events for members throughout the year. They are the only trade association dedicated solely to the needs of UK road transport operators.

Mark Taylor, head of training and development at the RHA says:

“The new RHA team in St Helens has a clear remit in training and development. As well as addressing skills shortages in the sector through apprenticeships, they will also offer development, advice and training for existing workforces.  The close partnership we have with TRS makes Liverpool City Region the obvious choice for the next stage of our expansion.”

Successful partnership

The partnership between TRS and the RHA has already resulted in many apprentices successfully starting careers with employers ranging from small companies to large employers such as Wren Kitchens and Whistl.

The move further boosts the relationship between the two organisations.  With its new presence in the North West, the RHA will also focus on transforming the profile of logistics as a career choice. 

Siobhan Saunders, chair of Liverpool City Region Apprenticeship Hub adds:

“This is certainly a very welcome development for the region in terms of apprenticeships. Liverpool City Region has a very healthy logistics sector and this presents a great opportunity for growing more apprenticeships, and developing the number of LGV drivers demanded by the industry.”