By Matthew Legg

Last updated 11:46, Wednesday, 23 July 2008

A WEST Cumbrian training company has revealed its remarkable track record of getting the unemployed back into work.

Putting you in the driving seat: Alan Lowrey, left, who passed Class II test with trainer Lennie Smith, and Gary Ferguson, who passed his Class I test. Over the last four years, Trainrite has helped 139 people get a new job

Trainrite, based at Lillyhall, near Workington, has signed up 182 people on a Jobcentre Plus scheme to reskill people as wagon drivers over four years – and 139 of them have got a job through it.

The scheme has also plugged a skills gap in Cumbria, which has suffered from a lack of lorry drivers. It was open to people who were unemployed and looking to reskill.

Companies that have recruited staff through the scheme include Alco, Eric Nicholson, John Elliott and Riverside Recruitment.

Angela Caffrey, Trainrite sales director, said: “We started the company in 2002 and have always offered HGV training – now known as LGV – to private companies.

“We have a very high success rate and were pleased when we won the contract to help reskill unemployed in Cumbria.

“We expected to be catering for people living in and around Workington, but we have had trainees from all over the county – down as far as Barrow and Kendal and across to Carlisle.

“It has been very rewarding to see people shine and find jobs and we have had some excellent feedback from their employers,” added Angela.

“The scheme came to a close at the end of March and we are just seeing the last of the Jobcentre Plus trainees take their tests.

“To date, more than 130 people are now back in work – something we are immensely proud of.”

Anyone interested in taking LGV training should contact Trainrite on 01900 68040 or email Trainrite@btconnect.com

For more information on current schemes to support the unemployed, contact your local Jobcentre.