DAF Trucks has embarked upon a career awareness campaign to bring new technicians into the DAF Dealer Network, targeting those new to the industry as well as existing mechanics and technicians.

The recruitment campaign - ‘Join the Winning Team’ – is designed to highlight the diverse range of roles found in a modern commercial vehicle workshop and to showcase the role of a technician as a fulfilling, long-term career choice, said DAF.

To help personalise the campaign, it has enlisted five ambassadors – both current and former technicians from the DAF Dealer Network – each describing their own successful career paths and individually placed to promote the positive aspects of a workshop career.

The campaign also highlights the many other opportunities that can emanate from a technical background, including aftersales management opportunities in service and parts.

Once qualified, DAF Technicians receive regular in-depth training at the company’s new training centre at DAF Trucks head office Haddenham.

The DAF Dealer Network comprises 136 Sales, Service and Parts locations, with another 14 dedicated TRP Shop outlets.

The DAF Dealer Network employs some 1500 fully-qualified DAF Technicians, with many having ‘graduated’ through DAF Trucks’ Apprentice Programme.

One of its five Ambassadors is Adam Baker, 2018 UK DAF Technician of the Year. Employed by DAF Dealer, Chassis Cab, he works very closely with DAF as a field support engineer.

“Join the Winning Team has wider implications for the industry,” said Adam Russell, business services manager at DAF Trucks.

“I believe there is wealth of talent in the UK which the truck industry can tap into, and our recruitment drive is just one way of shining a light on the wider issue of our industry’s skills shortage.

“We’ve always delivered a successful recruitment effort at DAF Trucks, due in part to our popular DAF Apprentice programme, currently with nearly 400 delegates enrolled, and where there is a natural progression to full-time employment throughout the network.”