Dixons Carphone PLC is signing up 27 apprentices with TRS Training. The apprentices are undertaking TRS’s LGV Apprenticeship, enabling them to drive the multichannel retailer’s 7.5 -tonne lorries.
Dixons Carphone operates through 14 brands including Currys PC World and Carphone Warehouse, and more than 900 stores worldwide. Some of the apprentices that TRS will be training are existing UK employees of Dixons Carphone. Others will be new staff as a result of a recently-launched recruitment drive by Dixons Carphone.
The apprentices will train as delivery drivers who will be the face of the business. As the last point of contact on the customers’ journey, it will be largely down to them to meet and exceed expectations.
Professional LGV driving licence
The aim of the apprentices’ training is to provide the skills to execute multi-drop deliveries to home addresses. Until they acquire their LGV licence, they work as drivers’ mates or in the warehouse. Alongside this, they will undertake learning via a virtual classroom and develop new practical skills through work shadowing. TRS has ensured that the apprenticeship training timetable is flexible and fits around working patterns and shifts.
Additional facets of the apprentices’ training programme include on-the-job skills practice, and the all-important LGV driving lessons, resulting in a professional licence. TRS tutors and support staff oversee and underpin all aspects of the apprentices’ training. Furthermore, each apprentice is assigned a workplace mentor, in other words, a long-term member of Dixons Carphone staff. This individual will model the behaviour expected of the apprentices. They also provide guidance as to the company’s ways of working.
Kevin Birch, Director with TRS, says:
“We are delighted to be supporting Dixons Carphone in the training and development of LGV delivery drivers. There has been an increase in demand for home delivery since the pandemic. Unfortunately, there has also been a decline in the availability of trained LGV drivers post-Brexit. Consequently, more firms are turning to the LGV Apprenticeship as a tried and tested method for filling driver vacancies.”
Knowledge, Skills & Behaviours for LGV Driving
All apprenticeships consist of three fundamental components: the acquisition of knowledge, skills and behaviours. The LGV Driving Apprenticeship will equip Dixons Carphone staff with the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need to carry out the role of delivery drivers using large goods vehicles.
The knowledge aspect of this apprenticeship includes essential topics such as how to secure loads and use of IT in the industry. The skills component will see apprentices learning practical proficiency in safe driving, protecting the vehicle from damage, route planning and other areas. Finally, the apprentices will develop behaviours appropriate to their job role and in line with Dixons Carphone corporate standards. These include professionalism, good timekeeping, and customer focus.
For further information about the LGV Apprenticeship, please contact Kevin Birch on 07788 120 608.
