Back in March Richard Brewer – Skills for Logistics regional manager (West Midlands), was invited by Warburtons to attend one of their Driver CPC sessions at their Wednesbury based bakery.
Dave England – Warburtons commercial vehicle driver trainer, explained that Warburtons had started to look at their driver training around two and a half years ago and decided to develop their in-house training department to deliver the Driver CPC. He added: “During this period we embarked on developing a number of standard operating procedures that not only fit the Driver CPC requirements, but also ensure our staff receive the quality relevant training that will benefit both our employees and the business.
“We realised it would be good to ask an external partner to attend and give their view on the work we had carried out. We also felt it was important to be fully transparent and agreed to welcome constructive comments to ensure we were progressing in what we felt was the right direction.”
The day’s session included subjects related to the bakery logistics subsector such as the safe handling of baskets and stacks as well as generic logistics procedures such as SAFED principles.
Richard Brewer commented: “The day was a varied and very informative programme that helped to put in place the foundations of the continuous professional development programme Warburtons want to provide to their driving staff.”
One Warburtons driver who attended the course, Darren Blackford, who is based at their Stone Distribution facility and has been employed by the family bakers for 25 years, said the day had been a very positive experience. He added that completing the Warburtons standard operating procedures had helped ensure he continues to use the correct ways of working.
Richard Brewer went on to say: “It is very encouraging to see companies like Warburtons embracing the Driver CPC and ensuring they and their employees get the maximum benefit from the legislation.”
