European Social Fund in England

Case study: Wheels in Motion

The Wheels in Motion project delivered by City College Manchester in conjunction with Thomas Hardie Commercials Ltd is aimed at women aged 21 and over who are looking for a career in the road haulage and logistics industry. It provides opportunities for women to enter this traditionally male-dominated business.

Wheels in Motion is jointly funded by the ESF and the Learning and Skills Council, and gives employed and unemployed women the skills to move into higher-level and more skilled positions in driving, transport office and management jobs. It provided a range of Level 2 qualifications in areas such as large goods vehicles (LGV), warehousing, and forklift-truck-driving. The learners have also received help with reading, writing and information and communication technology (ICT) skills.

A marketing campaign called 'Girls in Gear' - featuring a pink large goods vehicle with the campaign slogan written on it - is used to attract women to the training, together with direct marketing, radio adverts, roadshows and awareness seminars. The project has made successful links with Sure Start, single-parent groups and local employers in Manchester, Salford, Trafford and Stockport. Kathy Barlow, who runs the project, says: "It is estimated that the logistics industry currently requires around 50,000 new LGV drivers to meet existing demand. Over 90% of existing LGV drivers are male (according to the Skills for Logistics Survey 2005). The project has helped to attract women into the sector making them aware of employment opportunities and plugging the skills gap."

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