The publisher’s Sunemployment section hopes to help fill 100,000 driving roles needed to keep the economy moving
The crisis has been caused by a “perfect storm” of factors including some drivers returning to EU countries, a backlog in driver tests, a lack of new drivers entering the field and veteran drivers retiring.
Now, with high profile cases of shortages at restaurant chains and supermarkets making headlines, The Sun is teaming up with top companies across the nation to help readers retrain as drivers.
As well as encouraging more people into the industry generally, ‘Keep on trucking’ also aims to recruit more women into driving roles, with women only making up 2% of HGV drivers in the UK.
Richard Burnett, chief executive of the Road Haulage Association, praised the vital work of his sector to keep Britain moving during the pandemic. He stated: “For the past 18 months, UK HGV drivers have been the anonymous frontline workers who have ensured our store shelves have been stocked, that manufacturing plants have maintained production schedules and crucial PPE and medicines have been delivered to hospitals and care homes.
“Not only have they kept us fed — they have done all they can to keep us safe.”
Acknowledging the news brand’s role in its supporting the industry, he added: “We want government to acknowledge their work and help plug the shortage gap. Thank you to The Sun for helping to get the nation driving and delivering again.”
Doug Kay, the head of distribution operations at John Lewis and Waitrose, also welcomed The Sun’s campaign, saying: “We’re thrilled The Sun is revving up support for our industry and getting people interested in a career behind the wheel.”