HGV drivers: Hundreds of Amazon employees training for new career

Amazonemployees are training for new careers as truck drivers, with the course becoming the most popular at the online giant. More than 400 members of staff have signed up.

The programme's first set of qualified drivers will be available for work in the UK by the end of the month.

Amazon reported huge interest in theHGV drivertraining from its so-called Career Choice programme.

In May, Amazon announced an investment of £10 million over three years in Career Choice to train up to 5,000 employees in new skills.

Amazon’s vice president of UK operations, Jonathan Gal, said: “We’re delighted to be able to support more than 400 of our employees to achieve their ambition to become HGV drivers through our Career Choice programme and play a part in helping to boost the haulage industry.

“We’re proud of the frontline roles we offer across Amazon, and we also know that they will be a stepping stone for some in their career journey.

“For people whose ambitions fall outside of our company, we are pleased to support them by paying for training and academic courses that can support their ambitions.”

Jane Gratton, head of people policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, commented: “To tackle skills shortages and improve business productivity we need to ramp-up investment in the training and reskilling of the workforce.

“Business has a major part to play in supporting people to gain new skills and it’s great to see how Amazon’s initiative is helping to launch new careers and boost resilience in local supply chains.”