Evri has announced the launch of a new driver training programme, providing a fully funded route into the industry for those interested in taking up a driving career.

With their brand-new ‘Van Driver HGV Training Programme’, Evri is particularly interested in targeting females that may be keen to take up a new role, as the company looks to expand its growing population of female HGV drivers. The launch of the programme, which is open for applications now, comes at a time when new data published by the Department for Transport (DfT) and Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) showed a drop last year in the number of women taking up the HGV Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) driving test – the qualification required by those looking to drive an HGV professionally.

The data, published in June 2024, highlights a 43% decrease from financial year 2022/23 to 2023/24 in the number of females taking the practical HGV CPC test despite an increase witnessed in the two years prior.

Regardless, Evri continues its campaign in championing more female drivers into the industry, even seeing an increase in their female HGV driver population over the last year, ahead of the industry standard, which sits at 1%.

However, with this mix still remaining low at 4% and women making up a third (30%) of their courier workforce, this new training programme hopes to encourage more women to ‘take the wheel’.

The programme is open to applicants looking to work from Evri’s Bolton, Normanton, Brooklands, Southampton and Coventry depots, and is a fully funded route into an HGV driving role, offering a starting hourly rate of £12.20 - above that of the National Living Wage.

Successful candidates will start their journey in a parcel van driving role, during which time they will complete the necessary training to achieve their category C licence and allow them to gain their CPC, with further development available for those keen to advance.

The scheme follows the company’s announcement earlier this year of its aim to become the employer of choice for female drivers in the industry, having already implemented measures such as listening groups, as well as launching a female-led mentoring programme for new drivers.

Lyn Warren, Chief Human Resources Officer at Evri, who is herself currently undertaking her HGV CPC training, said: "I’m so pleased we’ve seen an increase in the number of women taking up driving roles at Evri following the measures we announced earlier in the year to support this. “Across the industry, we know that women are hugely underrepresented in these roles particularly, which is why it’s so important that businesses continue to address this imbalance and champion new ways of breaking down barriers. “On average, only 1% of the industry’s HGV drivers are female, and while it’s particularly heartening to see Evri outperforming this, we know there’s still a long way to go to narrow the gap that exists between their male counterparts. “At Evri, we are committed to creating roles that cater to all, regardless of background or gender, and with the launch of training schemes such as our ‘Van Driver to HGV’ programme, we can continue to make roles accessible for all.”

Successful candidates will be fully funded through their training.

Working patterns are also more accommodating, particularly for those with family commitments, as driver roles are predominantly day shifts and cover circular routes, meaning colleagues return to their ‘home’ depot and therefore need not worry about sleeping in cabs.

Lucie Appleyard, Van Manager at Evri, said: “My career in the industry began as a data entry clerk, and it was from there I was able to progress.“Having worked for Evri for almost four years as Van Manager at Normanton, I’ve been able to expand my skills and be a part of the huge growth the business has seen. “For me, I love the autonomy I have within my role, as well as some of the successes I’ve been involved in, such as Normanton being named depot of the year internally. There’s so much opportunity for development with Evri, and I would say to anyone interested in pursuing a career in driving – especially women – to not be afraid and give it a go!”