Kier employees across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire are being given the opportunity to undertake a nationally recognised qualification for driving company vehicles.

The qualification is being rolled out to 544 employees including operatives, supervisors and managers, following a successful pilot.

Delivered by TIR Training the programme is being run as part of Kier’s national commitment to ensure all company vehicles are loaded, driven and unloaded both safely and legally.

Assessments will take place over the next 12 months and, if successful, candidates will gain an NVQ Level 2 in Driving Goods Vehicles.

Employees will be assessed in manoeuvring vehicles in restricted spaces, driving in a fuel efficient manner and safe loading/unloading procedures.

The programme also enforces Kier’s wider commitment to corporate responsibility by reducing the carbon footprint of vehicles and ensuring drivers show courtesy to other road users.

Kier regional managing director Simon Bullen said: “Kier has a very visible presence on the roads of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, and it is vital our drivers are suitably qualified to keep both themselves and the public safe.

“This qualification ensures our mobile employees operate and manage their vehicles in a manner that not only demonstrates prudence, but also works to lessen our impact on the environment through fuel efficiency.”