AN accreditation scheme aimed at raising standards among driver recruitment companies is being chaired by a Wiltshire businessman for the third consecutive year.

Julian Thompson, founder and director of Chippenham-based 24-7 Staffing, helped set up the FTA Driver Agency Accreditation Scheme (DAAS) in 2015 to help improve agency standards.

He has now been confirmed as chair for a third year of the governance group which runs the accreditation scheme.

To be accredited, driver recruitment agencies are assessed against stringent FTA standards. Julian’s firm, 24-7 Staffing, has held DAAS accreditation from the start. The FTA is one of the UK’s largest trade associations and represents the transport interests of companies moving goods by road, rail, sea and air.

Julian said: “The transport sector is so highly regulated that to be in driver recruitment you really have to know what you’re doing. At the same time, there is a national shortage of drivers, so there is a temptation for companies to use any agency that can offer staff. However, by using an agency with DAAS status, haulage operators can rest assured that they are remaining fully compliant and that the drivers they take on will be of the highest standard.”

When the scheme was launched it received backing from the then Transport Minister Robert Goodwill and Senior Traffic Commissioner Beverley Bell. A voluntary initiative, it was developed by the FTA, together with specialist driver agencies and aims to recognise, encourage and promote good practice within the sector.

Julian, who worked in the driving sector for many years before setting up 24-7 Staffing in 2004, is a national and international CPC holder in transport management.

For more information about 24-7 Staffing - which places staff in the commercial, industrial and healthcare sectors, as well as driving – visit https://www.24-7staffing.co.uk/.

For information about the FTA DAAS scheme visit http://www.fta.co.uk/services/driver_agency_accreditation_scheme.html