TRS Training Limited has teamed up with the British Association of Removers to position portering as an attractive career choice. The initiative will boost the ranks of recruits in an industry that desperately needs to increase its workforce. By getting involved in this apprenticeship project, removals and logistics firms can save substantially on recruitment and training.
Accelerating Driver Shortage
The logistics industry remains on high alert over the accelerating shortages of drivers including porters. The TRS Porter Apprenticeship programme offers a solution by attracting younger people to the industry with perks like free driving lessons and test. Employers will also appreciate the fact that these apprentices have the option to complete funded BAR approved specialist industry courses like specialist packing and transporting pianosand fragile and non-fragile packing.
Young talent
Placing existing staff of any age on a Porter Apprenticeship is one measure firms can take. But it also makes sense to use the apprenticeship as a way of recruiting 16-18-year-olds into these roles. It will certainly give the industry a massive boost.
TRS Training’s Porter Apprenticeship makes it easy for firms to recruit aspiring school leavers and those up to the age of 18. As your apprenticeship partner, we handle all recruitment and training.
Fresh new approach
TRS has tailored the Porter Apprenticeship programme in conjunction with The British Association of Removers. The programme sets about training the next generation of porters, pioneering two important principles:
- Attracting motivated young talent aged 16-18 by including the acquisition of a standard driver’s licence for anybody in this age bracket who signs up as an apprentice porter. These young candidates will also have the chance to complete short BAR removals training courses, for example, piano moving, fragile packing and health and safety.
- This initiative is also likely to help tackle the LGV driver shortage. Because after completing the Porters Apprenticeship, staff can progress to an LGV apprenticeship and gain a Cat C driving license, Cat C+E if required and the Driver CPC.
A Lifeline for Logistics
TRS urges employers to pledge their involvement by earmarking a vacancy for a porter apprentice. TRS offers a free recruitment service and will only field strong candidates to firms for interview. Kevin Birch, director at TRS, says:
“Many companies don’t realise that funding is available. This makes employing a porter apprentice a no-brainer. And we want employers to understand that apprentice training is delivered in the workplace. It’s always planned around working schedules to avoid any disruption. One or two new apprentice porters can really help succession planning for companies who are are struggling to recruit drivers. We are inviting firms to get in touch with us to discuss this unmissable opportunity.”
Funding
For small and medium businesses that do not pay the apprenticeship levy, the government funds 95% of the costs of the training programme. The employer will pay 5% of the cost plus the apprentice’s wages. Larger firms that pay the levy can meet 100% of the costs using their levy funds. In both cases, there is an extra boost for taking on apprentices aged 16-18: TRS’s programme includes funded driving lessons, driving tests and BAR removals courses.
Get On The Move
TRS is in the process of finalising a list of strong candidates who want to start a Porters Apprenticeship during the second half of 2020. Doing the hard work on behalf of potential clients, TRS is scouting for talent, chiefly at schools and careers events. Many young people will leave school in June, making it more timely than ever for firms to take the step to employ an apprentice. It’s important to note that although TRS is working to attract school leavers and other young people into the industry, the Porters Apprenticeship is open to existing staff and recruits of all ages. However, the additional benefits of driving lessons and BAR short courses are only available for 16 to 18-year-olds.
