MP Connect host standardised driver induction process

Some of the biggest companies within the mineral products industry have devised and agreed a standardised induction process for drivers. Aggregate Industries (AI), Cemex, Breedon, and Heidelberg Materials UK will use the MP Connect platform, created by the Mineral Products Qualifications Council (MPQC) and supported by The Mineral Products Association (MPA).

The driver induction process will be a mandatory requirement for all drivers entering Aggregate Industries, Cemex, and Breedon sites by 1 January 2025. Without completion of the Driver Induction on the MP Connect platform, drivers will be denied access.

Importantly, drivers will significantly benefit from the new process. The driver induction for relevant companies will only need to be completed once a year, taking approximately 20 minutes. Instead of numerous inductions for the same company, the Drivers Induction on the MP Connect platform will cover all participating sites. It will be supplemented by annual local/site-specific inductions that will also need to be completed by drivers.

Proof of having completed the Driver Induction will be stored on the MP Connect platform and be visible on site. This will enable eligible drivers to work more efficiently as well as safely.

Drivers completing the MPQC Site Safety Awareness Course during October to December 2024, will have the added benefit of the Driver Induction being included as part of the course. They will not be required to renew the Driver Induction until the first anniversary of completing the course.

David Hart, supply chain director with Cemex and chair of the MPA Transport Committee, said: "This new standardised industry driver induction has been produced with collaboration with drivers, hauliers, transport managers, and MPQC. Hosted on the MP Connect platform, it will benefit us all by providing visibility of the driver’s induction status."

Jon Whiteley, MP Connect project co-ordinator and logistics compliance manager for the South West with Aggregate Industries, said: "This important industry collaboration benefits both safety and efficiency. The Driver Induction improves processes for all parties and demonstrates safety leadership."

Richard Baldwin, training and compliance co-ordinator and transport manager with Rockley Transport, added: "The MP Connect platform helps us to look after the welfare of our drivers working on sites and this new induction is a welcome addition to those efforts."

The Driver Induction is another milestone in the ongoing collaborative work being undertaken by the MP Connect team.

"Working alongside the MPA and industry, we have always sought to provide an easy-to-operate, real-time scheme with the power to give advance notifications to sites and companies about anyone who has the need to access a working site,’ said Laura Mountjoy, MP Connect business development manager with MPQC."