Course helps Christina to cement career
DRIVING a cement truck may not be the dream job of every young woman but it certainly floats the boat of Christina Wilcox.
Christina from Hinckley is one of 10 graduates from the Cemex Logistics apprenticeship scheme and becomes the latest full-time tanker driver based at the Rugby plant delivering to customers in central and southern England.
Christina said: “I’m delighted to have graduated from the scheme.
“In this job every day is a challenge and I’m doing something on a daily basis that I really enjoy.
“It’s a job that not many young girls do and Cemex has helped me to grow my confidence.”
The drivers are the second cohort to take part in the scheme which is run over 12 months and helps to address a recognised UK skills gap of an aging driver population by recruiting individuals aged 18 to 23.
In the industry 62% of drivers are aged 45 years or over with only 1% under 25 years-old.
Carl Milton, northern regional logistics manager and apprenticeship coordinator, said: “We are delighted to welcome Christina and the other new young drivers, three driving cement tankers and seven driving aggregate tippers, to our team of more than 300 drivers. Christina is just one of a handful of Cemex women drivers and we hope that she will help raise awareness of women in this job role.
“The graduates have worked hard to achieve a high standard of professional driving and will be doing a vital role in supplying cement and aggregates for use in the construction industry,” The programme is run in association with training provider Systems Training