Being able to drive safely on New Zealand roads is a crucial employment skill, so Bay of Plenty post-harvest operator, Trevelyan’s, is helping staff obtain their full driver’s licence.

Dozens of New Zealand-born and overseas workers have undergone intensive driver training in the past few months, to either progress through the graduated licence system or convert their international driver’s licence to a New Zealand one.

All of the training was paid for and organised by Trevelyan’s, and staff were given an advance to cover the actual licence fees if they couldn’t afford to pay them up front.

“We set up an in-house project to coordinate everyone who was on no license, a learner’s license or restricted license to keep them moving through and working towards getting their full license,” explains Trevelyan’s Human Resource Manager Jodi Johnstone.

“It was hugely successful and we had 13 staff gain their full licence as a result.”