For some ex-military personnel, the transition back to civilian life can be daunting and a real challenge.
However, imbued with the values of loyalty, dedication and hard work from their time in the armed services, a new career in the logistics sector – where HGV drivers in particular are in high demand – can provide a rewarding one for many veterans.
Founded in 2020 by former Royal Artillery Airborne Gunner, Darren Wright, Heywood-based Veterans into Logistics is a charity which looks to harness that talent by providing mentoring, guidance and HGV driver training.
Corporate supporters of the organisation include Thomas Hardie Commercials, Enterprise UK & Ireland, NWF Fuels, Workforce Recruitment Group, Boughey Distribution, TRS Training, Armstrong Logistics, Bunzl Retail Supplies, Fullers Logistics, Asda Logistics Services, Mϋller UK & Ireland and Stobart.
Asda Logistics Services, which has 23 regional depots, is the charity’s biggest corporate backer and holds fundraising events at its depots, with an awards night earlier this year raising more than £54,000 for the charity.
Chris Hall, Vice President for Asda Logistics Services said: “Having worked with Veterans into Logistics since the early days, we are proud to support them and remain committed to working together going forwards.
“This, as our first fundraising event was tremendously well supported and we’re looking forward to more of the same as we plan for the future.”
Meanwhile, Nantwich-based Boughey Distribution and Veterans in Logistics work together closely, using the haulier’s in-house training team to prepare candidates for careers on the road or in the warehouse.
The company is now a Bronze Patron of the charity and has rolling vacancies to candidates from Veterans Into Logistics and places newly qualified or less experienced drivers on a driver mentor scheme.
Its training team also equips novice drivers with the required skills to join the company on a permanent basis.
Neil Trotter, Transport Operations Director, said: “Veterans and ex-military servicemen and women are excellent team players and have many of the values Boughey holds highly.
“The work that Veterans into Logistics carries out is an inspiration to us and we are proud to support this fantastic programme.”
The charity is also achieving success in helping with the rehabilitation of veterans serving time in prison who are coming to the end of their sentences.
Working with HMP Risley and HMP Thorn Cross, Veterans into Logistics has established a programme providing a pathway into an HGV driving career on release.
Darren Wright is passionate about advocating for former military personnel who deserve a new career after leaving the forces.
He said: “I’m humbled when I hear big companies telling me how they support what we do and wanting to help ex-military personnel into new careers to thank them for their service.
“With approximately 15,000 men and women leaving the military each year, we are always looking for more support to ensure we can place those who come to us through our fully funded training and into stable employment as they make the transition to civilian life.”
Veterans into Logistics also recently replaced its ageing fleet of three HGV driver training vehicles with modern Volvo trucks.
The new vehicles comprise an FH 460 LNG Globetrotter 6×2 tractor unit donated by Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland, along with a tandem-axle box van trailer donated by Asda.
At the same time a £30,0000 grant from the Veterans’ Foundation enabled the purchase of a second identical tractor unit and trailer, plus a diesel-powered 18-tonne Volvo FL 250 4×2 rigid.
Veterans into Logistics is using the Volvos to help about 150 new HGV drivers train and qualify for a new career each year on leaving the British Army, Royal Navy or Royal Air Force.
Uniquely for a driver training provider, both FH tractor units are fuelled on LNG, which reduces CO2 emissions compared with diesel – while still benefitting from the same power and driveability as a regular diesel-powered FH.
The trucks are operating mainly in the North West of England, with the LNG-powered tractor units refuelling at Asda’s regional distribution centre in Rochdale.
John Harker MBE, General Manager of Veterans into Logistics said: “The modern Volvo trucks will have a significant impact on our operational effectiveness and enable the charity to continue providing HGV driver training to veterans and armed forces service leavers in a more environmentally friendly and efficient way.”
Within two months of leaving the army, support from Veterans into Logistics enabled Abi Howard from Elland, West Yorkshire, to undertake the required civilian Class 1 HGV driver training she needed and facilitated a new career for her with Mϋller UK & Ireland.
She said: “I can’t thank Veterans into Logistics enough, the charity has been absolutely amazing.
“Leaving the army was a shock to the system, I’d never even written a CV before and didn’t know how to.
“I really enjoy my new career as an HGV driver at Mϋller UK & Ireland and there’s a special camaraderie and banter between ex-forces colleagues.”
Also, Wez Thomson from Littleborough, was the first of ten former military personnel to start a new job as an HGV driver with Asda, after the supermarket donated £40,000 to Veterans into Logistics in November 2022.
Wez, who joined the British Army after leaving school in 1996, said: “I am really proud of everything that Veterans into Logistics has achieved and the charity has changed mine and my family’s lives.
“I’m coming up to my first year working at Asda and I enjoy my work and get job satisfaction. I love driving the trucks and being out on the road.”
Pictures of both Abi and Wez feature in life-size form on the rear doors of the training trucks.
Wearing army uniform and their regimental berets, these striking images are designed to inspire veterans and future Armed Forces service leavers to consider a career in logistics and show there is a bright future after leaving the military.
For more information, visit www.veteransintologistics.org.uk
