Trainee Hgv Driver - Cheltenham

Cotteswold Dairy are once again working in partnership with PDT to offer an HGV training scheme that will assist candidates in preparing for and obtaining, an HGV Driving Licence.

After sucessfully supporting over 25 new drivers into the business across 2023, we are looking for new candidates to take part in our 2024 driver training scheme, based in Cheltenham.

No previous haulage experience is required – anyone can become an HGV driver. If you are over 18 years old and hold a valid UK driver’s licence, you are eligible.

Cotteswold Dairy offer a full training scheme with on-the-job training, an expereinced buddy, dedicated in-house academic and practical support staff; and over eighty-five years of quality experience in distribution. We will arrange your pre-course medical and walk you through the required steps before you begin. Throughout the course you will be supported by the PDT training team, our Learning & Development Coordinator and our Haulage Department to ensure you develop the required skills to pass your theory, hazard perception and CPC exams; while gaining confidence and real-world experience driving HGV vehicles. You will complete your practical training with both PDT and Cotteswold Dairy through our buddy system before you take your practical exam.

Training will encompass:

• Advice & Guidance – Get to know logistics training session
• Medical Exam
• Access to a revision portal for theory exam
• Theory, Hazard perception and Module 2 test
• Practical training through both PDT and Cotteswold Dairy
• Module 3 practical driving test
• Practical driving module 4 test
• Post completion interview

Around the driving training you be required to do:

• Production training/picking in the Chilled warehouse
• Vehicle loading
• Learning rounds through the ‘buddy’ system (as a passenger)

Training will take around 16 weeks to complete, but everyone is different & we offer a fully flexible approach to training. This will encompass a mixture of study, practical instruction and familiarisation with the products and processes.

IMPORTANT - This physically active role involves working nights, and requires manual handling

By the end of the training the Trainee will expected to fulfil the following:

• Operation of applicable vehicles
• The safe loading and unloading of stock at customer sites – pallets and roll cages
• Picking of orders and learning the products
• Complete a conscientious check of their assigned vehicle every morning and evening correcting any minor defects and highlighting serious defects to their Supervisor/Manager

Key duties of this role include:

• Delivery of dairy and other products to Wholesale & Semi-Retail customers
• Unloading and loading at customer sites – to include pallets and roll cages
• Picking of orders and learning the products
• Complete a conscientious check of the assigned vehicle at the start and end of shift

Training will encompass both daytime training, study, and night time operation. Throughout, we endeavour to make this as seamless as possible to give you a firm foundation for a successful career. You will complete the first week of your training at our Tewkesbury Head Office. The first 2-3 weeks of your training will be daytime hours. The driving role is Night Hours, with a start time between 2200 - 0200.

Full Time, 48 hours per week. Five shifts Monday - Sunday on a rota basis. In order to comply with the Working Time Directive, this will be averaged out over a period of 26 weeks.

We also offer benefits including:
•    Competitive salary with scope to train and advance within the business
•    22 days’ holiday plus Bank Holiday allowance
•    Additional day of holiday after 3 years’ service
•    Refer a friend - receive £500 for a successful referral
•    Cycle to work scheme
•    Discounted products, including doorstep delivery where available
•    Group personal pension scheme
•    Health and wellbeing benefit via Simply Health

To be considered for this fantastic opportunity as a Trainee HGV Driver please click apply now.