Kier operates 169 vans on the north-east roads, with 253 hours of driving logged every day. This course is being run in line with the company’s national directive to ensure all Kier vans are being loaded, driven and unloaded both safely and legally. The course, carried out over the next 12 months, will see employees gain NVQ Level 2 in Driving Goods Vehicles.

Operatives will be assessed in manoeuvring vehicles in restricted spaces, driving in a fuel-efficient manner and safe loading/unloading procedures. The course also aims to enforce Kier’s wider commitment to its corporate responsibility by reducing the carbon footprint of vehicles and ensuring drivers show courtesy to other road users.

Kier regional director, Mike Furze, said: ‘Kier has a very visible presence on the roads of the north-east and it's important that we and the public know our drivers have been suitably trained in addition to all the license, insurance and maintenance checks we do to keep everyone safe. 

‘This training is an opportunity for more than 220 driving employees to achieve a nationally recognised qualification for driving company vehicles and undertaking tasks that most will have been doing day in day out for many years. The safety and well-being of our employees are of the utmost importance and I am proud so many members of the team have taken up this opportunity to learn new skills and develop safer working practices, which will benefit not only them but also the environment and the local community,’ he added.