Orion People Solutions and Falkirk District Council have launched a new driver training programme which will provide young 16-25 year olds with a Pathway to Employment opportunity by training them towards a Category ‘C’ Driving Licence.
We are pleased to announce the launch of the ‘Orion Logistics’ Academy’, which will see 16 – 25 year olds begin their careers in the logistics’ industry with a 13 week day training programme, which includes full training in Driving Goods Vehicles, with progression towards the Category ‘C’ driving licence and packed with industry information and knowledge.

On Thursday 26th April we presented the first group of young trainees with their first ‘Pass Certificates’ in the 13 week programme. There are eight currently in training and they are now 4 weeks into the programme. They have spent the first three weeks working on their driving theory, hazard perception, health and safety and first aid and they have all successfully passed their medical. They have all been provided with risk assessment training on the Orion driving simulator and have last week progressed to the real truck experience.

Orion would like to congratulate Richard Healey Removals Ltd, winners of the Skills for Logistics’ award for Scotland’s Top Training Truck Operator 2012. Georgina Berry accepted the award from HRH The Princess Royal at The Transport News Scottish Rewards 2012 Breakfast on 11th November. Orion have enjoyed a long and prosperous relationship with Richard Healey Removals.

PC Mark Barrow is the community policeman based in Drumchapel High School and is running a Safe Driver programme with a group of pupils. Orion were invited to bring the simulator and the mobile training truck to the school. The kids were all given the opportunity to try out the simulator and in fact some of the teachers took the opportunity to see what was going on also. This was followed up with visit to the Orion offices in Hillington where another group of the Drumchapel kids were given the opportunity to try out the simulator and also the hazard perception test on the laptop. This proved to be another exciting and valuable lesson for the kids. Mark is developing a programme for next year which will take advantage of the simulator and we look forward to working with him and the kids.

Orion were guests and exhibitors at the recent International Association of Transport Professional conference in Aviemore 27th Sept to 29th Sept 2011. The 3 day event was to look at “Scotland’s Transport Future in a Changing world and was attended by a selection of professionals from every sector in the transport industry. The speakers included The Right Hon. Danny Alexander MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Keith Brown, Mister for Housing and Transport and Murdo Fraser MSP, Scottish Transport (Roads) and they all took time out to look at the Orion Mobile Training Unit and the Driving Simulator.

On Friday 16th September we had a number of dignitaries visit the Orion Mobile Training Unit which was on display in Dumbarton town centre. Among our guests were Jackie Ballie MSP, Shadow Health Secretary, Scottish Labour Party, Gemma Doyle MP , Labour and Dave Cowley from Dumbarton Fire and Rescue. They were all present to view and take turns on the Driving Simulator. We also had representatives from the local council Road Safety Group who are interested in using the simulator for future Road safety Events. We also had the local press covering the event. Dave is pictured trying out the simulator while Jackie takes some photos for her blog.

Scotland’s Transport Future in a Changing World” IATP Conference & Exhibition at Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort 27-29/9/11

The Orion Mobile Training Unit made it’s first official public appearance at Truckfest and proved to be a successful addition to the ORION training operation. We were able to demonstrate the facilities in our onboard classroom and we also gave clients the opportunity to try our new Driving Simulator. On Sunday we were pleased to have Lisa Kelly and Alex Deborgorski visit our Mobile Unit and Lisa even tried out the Driving Simulator under the guidance of John Bowles, our Business Development Manager.

Orion launch their new website. This brand new web site is designed to be  more user friendly. Bright and colourful graphics help to direct users to the relevant pages.