My 80-year-old grandmother received her first online delivery during lockdown. She enjoyed her first online quiz, her first online theatre production. The lockdown invited unlikely people to go digital, and they did.
We went online too. We started delivering our CPC Training online, to ensure drivers remained compliant during lockdown, very much a driver-reliant period.
Back in March last year, some consumers panicked, forcing supermarkets to restrict online deliveries and limit the number of individual items shoppers could order. I hope those stockpilers have got through their 400 cans of mixed beans…
Supermarket stockpiling
The supermarkets did an incredible job feeding the nation. Highly robust UK supply chains mean the risk of running out of food was low to none. No need to panic or create disruption with stockpiling.
This pandemic has catalysed the use of online delivery methods, and we’re all feeling the effects.
In a BBC report online grocer Ocado said the shift to internet shopping amid lockdown has led to a “permanent redrawing” of the retail landscape. Sales for the company jumped 27% to more than £1 billion in the first half of 2020.
Years of growth in online shopping has happened in just months. New online delivery models were introduced by all types of businesses, from wholesalers to restaurants to garden centres. Digital delivery has accelerated, so what does all this mean for the delivery driver?
For some time now the last-mile delivery driver has been the new ‘shop assistant’. It’s a driver’s smile that accompanies a branded box in 2020 and leaves a lasting impression.
Then there are the drivers who are less visible to the end-user. The drivers transporting the goods to supermarkets in Large Good Vehicles (LGVs). Has their role been recognised by the toilet-roll-grabbers of this world?
Key workers
A Welsh Government minister has thanked logistics staff for keeping Wales stocked through the COVID-19 crisis and pledged his support for the industry through recovery.
Ken Skates MS, minister for economy, transport and North Wales wrote to the RHA paying tribute to people in the industry who’ve worked tirelessly to ensure food and other essential supplies are available to people across the country. Quite right too.
LGV drivers have made a fundamental contribution to survival during the pandemic. They are more important than ever, and it’s essential that enough are being safely trained as the nation continues to put pressure on delivery.
Whilst it is the driver’s responsibility to ensure they have all the necessary qualifications and training to meet their driver CPC requirements, employers do need to keep a record of their driver’s training and further training requirements to ensure compliance within their fleet.
As key workers, they need the support of efficient services around them. Every employee who wishes to drive professionally needs 35 hours of JAUPT approved CPC training to keep their Driver’s Qualification Card valid and drivers’ legal.
At HGVC we offer on-site training, in which one of our highly-skilled trainers will come to your business and train your drivers (working with you to follow all the essential COVID-19 safety procedures). With this option, clients can choose the modules and location which will be most suited to the business.
If you have an on-site training facility – great – but if you don’t, we can arrange and hire a training room local to you or provide the training online.
We offer a tailored driver CPC writing service to meet your business’ needs, on the road or in the classroom. Our trainers are professional, motivating and dedicated. We think we have the best bunch out there (yes, we’re biased).
As online delivery continues to dominate buying behaviour, we need to remember that drivers are an essential part of the infrastructure, and driver training is essential to its success.
