Gist offers £5k incentive package for new drivers

THATCHAM-BASED Gist is offering industry-leading incentives of up to £5,000 for HGV drivers joining the business from August in order to boost capability and resources as it continues to deliver chilled foods and fresh produce for key customers including Marks & Spencer across the nation.

New drivers joining Gist now have the potential to receive a bonus worth up to £5,000 through a combination of a £2,000 sign on bonus and up to three additional retention payments for continued service.

Gist employs more than 2,000 drivers, runs a modern, highspec Euro 6 fleet, and offers drivers an excellent benefits package with generous pension scheme and sick pay, employee discounts, as well as progression and development opportunities. Gist’s drivers are some of the best in the industry, having won a number of highly competitive data-driven Microlise awards, including winning the long distance driver of the year for two consecutive years, and the prestigious Driver of the Year 2020.

Gist is also addressing the nationwide driver shortage by training new drivers through its Driver Training Programme, offering industry-leading training at its bespoke training centre which opened in October 2019, and following Covid guidance will reopen in September.

The centre features a static vehicle for training new drivers and a driver dropin centre to support those re-training to become Class 1 HGV drivers.

General manager Clive Nash said: “We’re proud of our long history as a key employer in this community.

“We’ve been working hard throughout the pandemic to keep food on the shelves across the nation and are so proud of our drivers for playing their part. We’re keen for others join our team and are delighted to be able to offer an amazing incentive of up to £5000 for drivers who join us.

“By offering this substantial

incentive, we’re hoping to entice drivers who may have recently retired or moved to alternative careers back into the industry, and in the longer term, encourage younger people to consider driving as attractive career choice.”

Anyone interested in apply for a driver position can email careers@gistworld.com or text DRIVE4GIST to 82228.