A HAULAGE firm is motoring ahead with 10 new jobs for people from Inverclyde.

The Malcolm Group is creating the driver posts as part of an initiative with urban regeneration firm Riverside Inverclyde, the council, Community Development Trust and the ‘Developing The Young Workforce’ youth employment programme.

They are aimed at younger people and will start off as trainee positions leading to a permanent contract with the Linwood-based firm.

Successful candidates will learn how to drive lorries and work towards their LGV Class C licence, in partnership with Glasgow-based GTG Training, before receiving in-depth tipper driver tuition from Malcolm Group employees — allowing them to work in the company’s construction division.

The jobs scheme was launched this week at The Donald Malcolm Heritage Centre at the firm’s Renfrewshire HQ.

A company spokesperson said: “The Malcolm Group is delighted to be participating in an innovative new initiative, created by Riverside Inverclyde and supported by Inverclyde Council, Inverclyde Community Development Trust, and DYW West, which will help to create up to ten permanent contracts for successful Inverclyde residents within The Malcom Group as trainee drivers.”

Representatives from the company and partner agencies attended the launch and met with four potential new drivers who were told more about the scheme.

The group were taken on a guided tour of the heritage centre, which explains the company’s history from humble beginnings to the present day as an industry leader in the logistics and construction sector.

A presentation gave the potential new recruits an insight into the everyday operations of the firm, its structure and different divisions before a question and answer session.

A Malcolm Group spokesperson said: “The visit proved to be a great success.

“We very much hope that this will be the start of a very successful business relationship between Inverclyde Trust and the Malcolm Group.”