Trainrite helps 139 unemployed get back to work

For the last four years Trainrite – a West Cumbrian training company, has been working with Jobcentre Plus and the European Social Fund to reskill jobseekers and get them back into the workforce. During that time 182 have taken advantage of scheme and 139 found their way back in to paid employment.
 
The Jobcentre Plus scheme was open to those that were unemployed and looking to reskill. There is a real shortage of wagon drivers in Cumbria so the scheme has been popular for those wanting to pass the standard Class II test to find a driving job. The trainees were also eligible to go one stage further to train and take their Class I tests - which a number of them did.
 
As a training company Trainrite has a very strong reputation with Class I, consistently achieving a pass rate in excess of the 50% national average.
 
The contract began in February 2004, and since then, there have been 182 starts with 139 people moving into employment to date. This figure is likely to increase over the next couple of months as the last of the trainees went through the centre at the end of May.
 
Companies that have recruited as a result of the Jobcentre Plus scheme include Alco and Amey Eric Nicholson, John Elliott and Riverside Recruitment.
 
Angela Caffrey, Trainrite Sales Director said "we started the company in 2002 and have always offered HGV (or LGV as it is now called) training to private companies. We have a very high success rate and were pleased when we won the contract to help reskill unemployed in Cumbria. We expected to be catering for people living in and around Workington but we have had trainees from all over the county – down as far as Barrow and Kendal and across to Carlisle.
 
It has been very rewarding to see people shine and find jobs and we have had some excellent feedback from their employers. The scheme came to a close at the end of March and we are just seeing the last of the Jobcentre Plus trainees take their tests. To date over 130 people are now back in work – something we are immensely proud of".
 
Speaking to some of the Jobcentre Plus trainees, the success of the scheme is quite evident. Alan Lowrey had been unemployed for 4 years when he was told that if he had his Class II licence, there would be a job for him tomorrow. He said "luckily I went down to the Jobcentre to ask if there was any support for getting my licence so I was really chuffed when they sent me here. My Dad was a wagon driver and I used to go with him – it has always been something I have wanted to do but never had the confidence to try."
 
Gary Ferguson was made redundant from Sellafield and like Alan, he was desperate to get out of the house and back to work so he could support his family. Both have already taken their Class II tests passing with flying colours – in fact their training was so successful that they reached the standard set for Instructor level* - so good was their training.
 
Lenny Smith is Senior Instructor for Class I and Class II LGV training and has one of the highest pass rates on wagons in the country. He has seen most of the Jobcentre Plus trainees through their paces and is proud of what they have achieved "The majority of pupils started with no wagon driving skills and often, no confidence. It has been great to see their confidence and self belief grow and very rewarding to see them pass their Class II and Class I tests. "
 
Of their trainer Alan and Gary said "He is an excellent teacher, straight to the point, clear, precise and he keeps on top of us – there's certainly no messing about. He knows what the testers are looking for because he has been doing this for years and it makes us more confident. He has achieved great results and the majority of us have passed our Class II tests first time."
 
Gary went on to pass his Class I test the day this picture was taken and now has a full time driving job with John Elliott Limited of Workington. He agreed that as well as providing a new skill, the scheme has also built self confidence and given him a new optimism – something that is priceless.
 
Jobcentre Plus said "we have been pleased to be able to work with a local organisation to deliver local training, and we would hope to work with the company again in the future in some capacity".
 
Training courses at Trainrite are longer than those at some other centres, but the training is very thorough and they have an exceptional pass rate. Class I training takes 5 days training before they take their tests and the Class II (Rigid) training takes 7 days before they take their test.
 
The high pass rate is one of the reasons that so many LGV employers use the company. Richard Mackay confirmed that he used Trainrite because "they are a very reliable local firm who consistently achieve good results. They are easy to work with and I know they do their best to get trainees through first time – which is very important."
  
Trainrite work with a wide range of LGV employers around the county and acknowledge that the scheme has provided long term benefits for them too. "We have introduced new drivers to the workforce and in turn, we have been introduced to several new companies looking for LGV training – so there are benefits both ways" concluded Angela.
 
Anyone interested in taking LGV training should contact Trainrite on 01900 68040 or email Trainrite@btconnect.com
 
For more information on current schemes to support the unemployed please contact your local Jobcentre.
 
Pictured: left Alan Lowrey who passed Class II test with trainer Lennie Smith and Gary Ferguson who passed his Class I test the day the picture was taken.
 
For more high resolution pictures or more information contact Tracey Errington at tracey@marketsense.net or call 07799 654 290. Alternatively contact Angela Caffrey at Trainrite on 01900 68040 or email her at Trainrite@btconnect.com