React Scheme
Premier Cars Cardiff
The Welsh Assembly Government React scheme as part of the “Leading Wales Out Of recession” strategy provides a subsidy for employers taking on an employee who has been made redundant in the last six months. Premier Cars of Cardiff have utilised this funding mechanism in conjuncture with Job Centre Plus to recruit and train future owner drivers.
Peter Renwick , General Manager of Premier praised the React Scheme and explained how this is now a fundamental part of their recruitment strategy. “The vacancies are advertised via Job Centre Plus and advisors make redundant employees aware of the opportunity. The React funding pays for the Driver to complete his training, purchase his badge and uniform and gets him on the road for the first two weeks”.
This allows Premier cars to guarantee candidates a position once they have completed training. This is something that would have been previously impossible for without financial investment.
Premier Cars – Jason Payne
Jason had worked for fifteen years at Cardiff based Plastic Manufacturer Tipec when he discovered he was being made redundant. “They gave us twelve weeks notice within which I had to find a job”. By using the local Jazmine Centre he became aware of REACT and how this would allow him to complete fully funded training worth up to £2500 from the Welsh Assembly Government. Jason who had always been interested in being a taxi driver but was concerned about the initial costs then saw an add for drivers at Premier Cars. “I knew that Premier had a very good reputation in Cardiff and was keen to get involved with them. When I discovered that they were working with Careers Wales and many of the drivers had become self employed through the REACT programme I was over the moon”.
Working with Premier Cars Jason became involved in a training programme which allowed him to complete all training required to acquire his licence and receive his VRQ which is a compulsory requirement with Cardiff Council for all new drivers.
Peter Renwick general Manager of Premier Cars explained “Quality of the service is of key importance. We’ve invested heavily in ensuring that our drivers reach the highest standard. We have seventy of our drivers who have completed the VRQ and are working towards building the infastrucutre with Ystrad Mynach College so the NVQ can be delivered. From our perspective the end result is a driver who is proud of his achievements and is an asset to the organisation.