SP Training Trucks named by partners Yodel and Scania

Leading UK logistics training company SP Training has given two of its partners the opportunity to name a pair of new bespoke trucks recently added to its fleet of dedicated training vehicles.

To cope with increased training demand for LGV licence acquisition, the Carlisle-based company acquired two new Scania G 250 18-tonne rigid trucks supplied by Graham Commercials in Carlisle via its partnership with Stobart Group.

And SP Training offered two of its key clients, Yodel and Scania, the opportunity to christen them with names based on education, training or knowledge to fit with the company’s professional training brand.

The training team at national parcel carrier Yodel named its vehicle Athena Skylar after ‘Athena’ – the Greek goddess of wisdom, and ‘Skylar’ the Irish name meaning the learned one.

SP Training currently delivers licence acquisition, LGV driver trainer assessor training and transport manager CPC courses to Yodel – the carrier is also part of SP Training’s driver CPC consortium.

Craig Laughton, national operations training manager at Yodel, said: “We’re delighted to have been offered the chance to name one of the new, bespoke trucks that SP Training has recently added to its fleet. The service that SP Training provides Yodel with is really important for our own training programmes, and the continued development of our drivers.”

Meanwhile Scania selected current pop singer Meghan Trainor to adorn the front of its vehicle. SP Training and Scania recently announced an innovative national training partnership to help address the current shortage of HGV drivers in the UK by equipping new drivers with goods vehicle licences.

Via its network of 12 nationwide training centres, Scania’s team of over 40 driver training instructors provide the practical driving skills component of the licence acquisition course while SP Training delivers the classroom element – including mandatory Driver CPC modules.

Matthew Watson, general manager of Scania Optimise Services, said: “SP Training procuring new Scania vehicles was a key factor in our collaboration to deliver nationwide training programmes, including apprenticeships, for our customers. Both organisations now have the same specification of vehicles, increasing the chances of first-time passes. To be able to name one of the trucks was an honour.”

Robin Brown, chairman of SP Training, said: “The new Scania training vehicles carry a striking livery and are perfect for providing new drivers with the skills needed to gain their goods vehicles licence and enter the logistics industry. Naming them just adds that personal touch and we’re pleased that Yodel and Scania came up with two novel and very appropriate names to adorn the front of each vehicle.”