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Nikki Francis, a 55-year-old from Queensbury and recent Urban Driver apprentice at Learning Curve Group, has made history as she has become the first female gritter driver in the Bradford district!

Having worked for Bradford Council since 2003, Nikki serves as a Stock Control Officer for the Highways and Street Lighting team. However, she recently took a bold step toward fulfilling a lifelong dream of becoming a lorry driver. After completing her Urban Driver apprenticeship with us and obtaining her Category C (heavy goods) licence, she also completed winter maintenance training, officially qualifying as a gritter driver!

Known for its harsh winters, Queensbury is no stranger to icy conditions, and Nikki is now playing a vital role in keeping the roads safe.

Speaking with Bradford Council, Nikki said: “Despite spending my working life in an office, I’ve always wanted to be a lorry driver. I had an uncle who used to drive an HGV, so I suppose that’s when the bug first hit, and I’ve now been able to cross something off my bucket list.”

Since qualifying, she has already completed four gritting runs on her designated route and is enjoying the challenge. Encouraging others to follow in her footsteps, Nikki advises: “Just go for it. Yes, the nerves are there, but they were when you drove a car for the first time—you just have to remember that you have even more responsibility.”

Each route typically takes between two and three hours to finish, but the work continues once drivers arrive back at the depot! Along with performing essential vehicle inspections, they also need to clear out any remaining grit from the hopper and give the vehicle a thorough wash before wrapping up their shift.

Nikki’s achievement highlights the opportunities available through apprenticeships and the importance of breaking down barriers in traditionally male-dominated industries! We continue to support individuals looking to upskill and pursue new career paths.

Congratulations to Nikki on this incredible milestone!

The Level 2 Urban Driver Apprenticeship takes around 12 months to complete and the programme includes a free Category C licence with Driver CPC, preparing drivers to work across diverse sectors, from retail to construction, delivering and collecting goods within specific regions.

Nikki’s success serves as an inspiration to others considering a career change. If you’re looking to develop new skills, an apprenticeship could be the perfect way to start! We offer a range of apprenticeships across numerous sectors, take a look at our courses below.

Take a look at our range of apprenticeship programmes

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