A bonus of £1,500 is being offered to potential new waste collection drivers, amid a national shortage of HGV drivers.

Veolia is offering the bonus as an incentive for more drivers in Hertfordshire as a combining factors from Brexit and the pandemic has contributed to a drop in trained HGV drivers.

The issue has struck businesses nationwide, with some supermarkets seeing a shortage in supplies to major food chains having to temporarily shut due to a lack of food.

Likewise, waste contractors have also faced a similar issue, and in July numerous Herts councils admitted they had to look to salary increases and other methods to tackle the driver shortage.

Now Veolia hopes to attract new talent to keep their vital services going, by promoting the bonus and other wider benefits such as working locally, with early starts and finishes, and the fact that they can work in a small team.

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) were predicting a shortage of about 60,000 drivers pre-pandemic, but they now estimate this to be over 100,000 across the UK.

Veolia is also reporting an average of 15 per cent vacancy rates for driving roles and it is proving very challenging to fill this gap.

Councillor Anthony Rowlands, chair of the Public Realm Committee of St Albans City and District Council, spoke out about the work Veolia has done in the county.

He said: “Our waste contractor Veolia has done well to minimise the impact of the national driver shortage on collections in the District.

“However, this is a problem that is not only going to persist but is also likely to get worse in the months to come. It is great to see them taking preventative action with a tempting £1,500 bonus being offered to new drivers.

“Together with other employee benefits, including a company pension scheme, I hope this will help them recruit drivers at a very challenging time.”

Experienced drivers, newly qualified drivers, or those looking for a carer change can apply here: www.recruitment.great-careers.co.uk/veolia