In-House Driver Academy – Currys

Year: 2024

Award: Supply Chain Excellence Awards - UK

Award Name: The Workforce Planning Award

Company: TRS Training, Currys

The Currys Driver Academy was launched in response to the national driver shortage exacerbated by the pandemic, aiming to build a resilient and skilled driving workforce.

Partnering with TRS, the academy provides comprehensive training at three technical training centres, resulting in 63 newly qualified 7.5T drivers with 74 others set to complete their training soon.

The academy supports internal career progression from Drivers Mates to qualified drivers and has opened up opportunities for external candidates as well, including partnerships with GXO to create a pipeline of C+E drivers. Our strategy focuses on improving talent pipelines, enhancing diversity, and addressing career development needs.

The initiative has resulted in high pass rates for driving tests and significant investment in training, amounting to over £158K.

Future plans include expanding internal and external recruitment efforts, collaborating with colleges and job centers.

This holistic approach aims to ensure a steady supply of qualified drivers, mitigating skills shortages and supporting the growth of the business in a competitive market.