Driver academy group to lead government scheme providing fully funded training for thousands of HGV drivers

The Group was formed to offer support in the upskilling and supply of candidates to a sector facing a massive shortfall of drivers.

The Driver Academy Group will train and place 2,160 candidates into HGV driving roles as part of the Government’s Skills Bootcamps. The Skills Bootcamps in HGV Driving are flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills and fast-track to an interview with a local employer. The Department for Education funding addresses one of the major barriers to entry for aspiring HGV drivers – cost.

HGVC, a leading provider of fully managed HGV training courses via its network of more than 100 centres across the UK, will oversee the training of 750 new drivers in England. The firm will also help upskill hundreds of existing HGV drivers to obtain their ADR qualifications so they can drive critical and hazardous vehicles, such as petrol tankers. In addition, more than a thousand courses are available for lapsed drivers who are keen to return to HGV driving but need refresher training before getting back behind the wheel.

Logistics UK will provide drivers with soft skills training. Workforce solutions group Manpower will support qualified drivers in their search for suitable roles in the industry.

The Skills Bootcamps in HGV Driving went live last Friday (10 December 2021) and are open to anyone with a car licence aged 19 and over. The Driver Academy Group is particularly keen on helping underrepresented groups, such as women, those from ethnic minorities, and younger drivers, become HGV drivers. Those finding themselves unemployed, or ex-offenders, are also encouraged to apply to become a driver. Candidates can apply at www.hgv.academy.

All successful applicates will be booked onto courses as soon as there is availability in order to get them into a new driving job as quickly as possible in 2022. The training courses are available at 60 locations across the country. Qualified drivers could secure starting salaries of up to £40,000, or more for those driving dangerous goods.

David Jordan, Deputy Operations Director – Services at Logistics UK, said: “The severe shortage of HGV drivers has had a significant impact on our industry over the past year. Logistics UK is proud to be part of the consortium charged with providing a solution to the issue and we look forward to adding our support and expertise to the Skills Bootcamps, alongside the experts at HGVC and Manpower, so that we can identify and train the workforce which our industry needs to keep Britain trading effectively.”

*www.hgv.academy

Published On: 16/12/2021 16:00:37

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