Top award for young tanker driver Christina
A FEMALE lorry driver from Hinckley has won an award for her proficiency in delivering cement tankers.
Christina Wilcox, 22, won Apprentice of the Year at the Talent in Logistics awards.
She was the first woman to undertake the Level 3 Driving Goods Vehicles apprenticeship at CEMEX UK’s cement plant in Rugby.
She said: “I was shocked but delighted to win the award both for myself and other young aspiring drivers.
“It wouldn’t have been possible without the excellent apprenticeship scheme offered by CEMEX through System Group.”
Christina delivers 44-tonne bulk cement tankers as part of a 90-strong workforce.
She hopes her success will inspire other women to look at a career in logistics, and for young people to see a driving apprenticeship as a way to learn a skilled trade while getting paid.
The programme has been running for three years.
Darren Cunningham, chief executive at System Group, said: “Christina’s hard work and dedication is truly commendable.
“She’s an inspiration and further endorses our focus on nurturing young talent and equipping them with the skills and condifence to meet the UK’s pressing need for trained drivers.”
Billy Gomez, Christina’s trainer, added: “I’m pleased for the team surrounding her, who have supported her all the way to this point, and who I know will be overjoyed at her well-deserved success.”
System Group was also nominated for the Training Programme of the Year and the Grand Finals of Road Transport Industry Training Board’s Forklift Operator of the Year.
On the judging panel were representatives from the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Road Haulage Association, Fork Lift Truck Association, Women in Logistics and charity Transaid.
CEMEX UK is a leading provider of aggregates, cement, ready-mixed concrete, concrete blocks and rail sleepers.