“As far as I’m concerned, thanks to my mum who’s run the business for over 20 years, Driver Hire has a big presence in Northern Ireland. Clients old and new are well aware that the office is female led [and our] industry knowledge is second to none”
– Danielle Crawford, Driver Hire Belfast
Truck drivers are the people who automatically come to mind when talking road transport. But, behind the highly visible fleet of lorries making essential deliveries and collections across the UK, there’s an army of other workers ensuring that those trucks stay on the road and arrive at their destination. Think workshop technicians, the team in the traffic office and the essential role driver agencies play, the latter supplying the essential skilled worker when an operator’s regular driver is on holiday or taken ill.
Danielle Crawford works for logistics recruitment specialist, Driver Hire Belfast. She’s been there for almost 20 years, initially working on a part-time basis whilst she completed her sociology degree. The office is highly successful, supplying drivers to a wide range of businesses across Northern Ireland. It’s also something of a family affair – Danielle works alongside her uncle and her mum who jointly own the business. Danielle’s road transport career started in sales – she’s now the recruitment office manager. “I love the fact that no two days are the same,” says Danielle.
Finding great drivers is a well-documented issue across the logistics sector, but Driver Hire Belfast is showing strong growth and its reputation means that good candidates are attracted to the opportunities that Driver Hire can offer.
So, what is Danielle looking for in a CV for a potential recruit? “After the obvious – clean licence, relevant skills and experience, reliability is key. Geography comes into it too – we like to keep drivers local when it comes to placing them. And, of course, we really look after our drivers to encourage them to stay with us. We get to know their families. Our ultimate aim is to find them the perfect job.”
As a woman working in road transport, does Danielle feel that they are still under-represented in the industry? “Certainly, with drivers, yes. We get the occasional woman coming through. As far as I’m concerned, thanks to my mum who’s run the business for over 20 years, Driver Hire has a big presence in Northern Ireland. Clients old and new are well aware that the office is female led. Our industry knowledge is second to none and I’ve never been made to feel that, simply because I’m a woman, I don’t understand a customer’s recruitment needs.”
Last year, Danielle had a particularly proud moment.
Heather Milligan, a former Driver Hire driver who’d moved on to a permanent post with cash and carry wholesalers, Musgrave MarketPlace, won her new employer’s ‘Driver of the Year’ award. “That’s what this job is all about. That’s what makes it so special,” Danielle concludes.
If you’re considering work with Driver Hire, get in touch with your local office today.