National Express West Midlands took on 420 drivers last year, out of 4,500 applicants. It 
has a further 170 vacancies – and yet it can’t fill them, even though there are so many people looking for work. Why?
It has the admirable recruitment criterion that applicants must not have ANY points on their licences.
According to the story, the industry “standard” (I think they used that word to try and suggest it is National Express who is in the wrong) is 3 points for those seeking to become drivers.
National Express throws out the application without further ado if the applicant has ANY points. It also requires candidates to take literacy and numeracy tests.
National Express West Midlands spokesman Jack Kelly said: “We are committed to developing opportunities for people in the West Midlands through Jobcentre Plus.
“As well as having a rigorous test people have to have a clean driving licence.”
Good for them. Let’s hope they aren’t forced to back down – the article also cites the case of London bus company, Abellio, who went to Poland to find drivers because they couldn’t get suitable applicants “among Britain’s 2.5 million unemployed” (again, implying that Abellio is at fault).
This is what happens when you dumb down education and don’t punish people who break the law. Eventually, being stupid becomes commonplace. I guess we’re seeing that now.
But I must confess I am seeing National Express in a much more positive light knowing that they have such high recruitment standards.