The Driving Ambition initiative offers candidates free driver training ordinarily worth up to £3,000 to obtain either a Category C licence (Class 2) to drive rigid trucks, or licences C and E (Class 1) to drive articulated trucks.

The initiative is set to remove a barrier to a career in logistics, by providing company-funded driver training and highlighting the essential nature of an HGV driver career.

Ian Clough, MD Transport at DHL Supply Chain UK said: “By investing in someone’s future, and offering them the opportunity to be trained and ultimately become a qualified LGV driver, we’re hoping to attract as broad an audience as possible.

“One of the most important steps we can take to solve this for the long-term starts at grass roots by encouraging and enabling people to pursue a career in logistics.”

Recognising the need to create a long-term flow of driver candidates, Marks & Spencer has supported the initiative, and is inviting colleagues and partners to take part in the opportunity to retrain.