Diversity Plus Award
Laura Salmon
Nominated by Driver Hire, London
East London goods vehicle driver Laura Salmon has been declared one of the UK’s top temporary workers.
Laura has won the highly commended prize in the Diversity Plus category of the One in a Million Award, which is given to the UK’s top temporary worker. The Diversity Plus award supported by Jobcentre Plus is given to the person who has most challenged a stereotype in a specific job role.
Laura from Hermon Hill, South Woodford was nominated by recruitment specialist Driver Hire for whom she has been working for two years latterly from its East London office.
As a woman in a man’s world, Laura has excelled on the more difficult jobs. She is also a regular driver at Shanks Waste Solutions and she loves the work collecting bricks, rubble and concrete from construction and demolition sites in and around London.
On another occasion, having briefed a driver on working for a client for whom she had worked herself, she remembered she had problems with the lorry mounted crane on the vehicle they were using. That evening, she called the driver and explained what to do making the driver look totally professional.
Laura also helps out in the Driver Hire office helping other drivers through producing an information sheet on drivers’ hours and tachograph requirements.
She decided to become an agency driver to gain goods vehicle experience and try out new jobs.
Richard Pugh of Driver Hire said of her: “It’s fair to say that Laura’s number one aim is proving to the most sceptical transport manager that she is better at her job than the blokes. And the client feedback we receive time and time again confirms that she is.”
In her spare time, Laura is the bass guitarist in a rock band and also plays the double bass in a classical orchestra.
Helen Reynolds, the REC’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, said: “Laura is the perfect example of how as a lady trucker, she has not only found her perfect job, but has also shown she is totally professional and committed in every assignment she undertakes.”
