There’s been lots of coverage on the news about the HGV driver shortage – but unfortunately there’s also a shortage of forklift drivers too at the same time, meaning even more of the supply chain is under pressure.

Forklift drivers are in demand more than ever before due to a variety of reasons, and this demand is likely to continue as demand for a fast-paced supply chain grows. As we know, forklifts are a vital component of every warehouse, and without an adequate number of forklift drivers’ warehouses can’t operate at full capacity.

Whilst this all sounds a bit bleak, the good news is that the demand for forklift operators means that a career in forklift operation is a stable career path offering excellent benefits. The rise in wages means that if you’re considering a career change into forklift operation, now is the time. Our sister company The Forklift Truck Training Centre can provide all the forklift training you’ll need to kick start your career today.

For more information about our latest forklift vacancies, or to find out how Flexistaff can support your business, contact us on 0844 556 2916 or office@flexistaffuk.com.

Long distance drivers are used to driving in different locations and terrains – but even for the most experienced driver, travelling through city locations can be challenging. Here’s what you should be aware of when driving LGVs through cities.

What are the roads like? It’s likely that in many cities drivers will experience complex road layouts to try and manage the large number of vehicles travelling through the city. Be prepared to take extra time to navigate any tricky roads, as it’s likely you’ll experience some congestion as well, and research your route thoroughly before you set off if possible.

Think about vulnerable road users. Without a doubt there are more people using the roads in cities, including pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. Be aware of these road users as you navigate your way through. Many more people cycle in larger cities to avoid traffic congestion, and motorbikes have the ability to slip past lots of traffic quickly. Both can be difficult to see at times depending on the road layout.

London and other places are adopting new road schemes to cut down on congestion and pollution. To avoid any unnecessary hold ups in your journey, check first whether you need to sign up to a scheme to travel through the city centre.

For more information about our latest driving vacancies, or to find out how Flexistaff can support your organisation, contact us on 0844 556 2916 or office@flexistaffuk.com.

When it’s busy in your workplace, it’s easy to forget health and safety and lift items without following proper manual handling procedure – We’ve all done it! But realistically, it can be very dangerous to forget these regulations – here’s why.

Immediate injury is possible. You could pull a muscle or suffer with bruises or cuts – These injuries may not seem too terrible, but over time and on multiple occasions this can get wearing.

Things can get worse over time. If you repeatedly lift heavy items incorrectly, you could cause permanent damage to your muscles or ligaments, which can cause suffering in the future.

Don’t forget your mental health too. Injuries that cause pain or inconvenience over a long period of time can affect your mental health as you struggle to perform properly at work.

What can you do? If you are suffering with any of the above complications, speak toy our line manager and make sure you attend refresher training in manual handling. It is important that you always adhere to safe lifting practises to avoid any of the above injuries.

For more information about our latest vacancies, or to find out how Flexistaff can support your business, contact us on 0844 556 2916 or office@flexistaffuk.com.

It’s that time of year again! Welcome to the financial year of 2022-23, which began official as of 1^st April this year – and with a new financial year comes a change to the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates.

The National Living Wage and the National Minimum wage rates are paid according to your age. Apprentices are paid the “apprentice” wage if they are 19 or under and in the first year of their apprenticeship.

Here are the new rates for this financial year:

	Rate from April 2021	Rate from April 2022
National Living Wage	£8.91	£9.50
21-22 Year Old Rate	£8.36	£9.18
18-20 Year Old Rate	£6.56	£6.83
16-17 Year Old Rate	£4.62	£4.81
Apprentice Rate	£4.30	£4.81

If you require any further information, please visit GOV.UK to find out what you’re entitled to.

For more information about our current vacancies, contact Flexistaff on 0844 556 2916 or office@flexistaffuk.com.