ERRI presents to All-Party Parliamentary Group

At a meeting in October at the Houses of Parliament the European Rescue & Recovery Initiative (ERRI) requested the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Freight Transport, chaired by Rob Flello MP, consider a proposed policy regarding the recovery industry.

The ERRI policy highlights ongoing recruitment issues and the action other industries have taken to promote employment, training and the provision of a recognised career path. These actions include access to the education system in order to potentially recruit school and college leavers into their industries, with the assistance of government grants/loans to give the former students ongoing access to training.

ERRI believes a similar policy within the recovery industry could improve recruitment and the assistance of grants/loans for training would encourage recovery operators to consider this option. The scheme would promote and support visits to schools and colleges by key members of the industry in order to give students an overview of working in the recovery sector and where possible carry out small scale recovery demonstrations.

ERRI also requested that the Institute of Vehicle Recovery (IVR) be considered as the main focal point for all guidance, training and act as the administrator of any future scheme. It is understood that Mac Hobbs FIVR, vice chairman of the IVR, and Frank Taylor FIVR, RHA Recovery, have agreed to liaise regarding the potential structure of any scheme.

Historically the recovery industry has been one of the businesses where family involvement is the norm. Children grow up in the business and when they finish education, be it school or university, many return to learn from the experienced while bringing new ideas and the enthusiasm of youth. But like similar business models many have seen how the industry has been a ‘way of life’ for their parents and decide to choose a different career.

ERRI chairman, Mark Crawley said

‘Our industry is suffering with the lack of roadside and recovery technicians available to it and such a scheme would tackle this shortfall and potentially encourage an increase in the quality of potential employees. Companies would benefit from the enthusiasm of a younger generation while the employee would be able to see a career path mapped out in front of them.’

Introducing the next generation to the recovery industry is vital. Many are rejecting full time further education and considering the vocational route, which gives them a college education backed up by ‘on the job training’. This policy will give recovery business owners an opportunity to recruit grant assisted college and school leavers who will recognise the industry isn’t one of the most glamorous but it is, and always will be, an essential one.

For more information about ERRI go to www.erri.co.uk