Apprentices with a leading housing provider are learning how to be safer drivers as part of their training.

The new recruits are employed by Property Plus, part of Housing Plus Group. They are piloting a made-to-measure driver training programme delivered by road safety trainers from Staffordshire County Council.    

“We are preparing young professionals for a working environment in which their own safety and that of their colleagues and the public is paramount,” said Housing Plus Group director Stephen Collins. “These apprentices are developing the skills to repair and maintain homes for our customers. Just as important as those skills is the ability to drive any of our fleet including large vans and 4x4 vehicles. It is a driving experience very different to a family car and we want them to be safe behind the wheel of our vehicles in all road conditions.”

The first workshop in the flagship training programme was delivered on 26 October, beginning with a safety briefing and continuing with a two-hour drive alongside  instructors covering essentials like lane discipline, junctions and roundabouts, manoeuvring, vehicle control, hazard recognition and anticipation.

At the end of the training apprentices are assessed and graded, with certificates recording their success.

“This is an advanced programme which is part of our drive to provide high quality training for our employees as well as great service for our customers,” said Sarah Boden, chief executive of Housing Plus Group. “It recognises our commitment to the communities of Staffordshire and Shropshire, where we have a responsibility to work safely and considerately.”

The first apprentices to take part in the new driver training were Haydn Beddow, Katie Douglas, Liam Davies and Sam Morrall.