HGV training specialist HGVC has once again been awarded a lead role in the Government’s extended Skills Bootcamps in HGV Driving program.
HGVC Secures £10m Funding to Train Thousands More Drivers
The scheme aims to upskill thousands of employees across England to become HGV drivers over the next two years. The HGV Bootcamp offers flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, allowing participants to build sector-specific skills. First launched in December 2021, the program has been extended until February 2026, with the Government committing a further £50m in initial funding, with potential for further extensions.
Helping Employers Plug the Driver Gap
HGVC has been awarded the maximum possible funding allocation of £10m to train 1,828 candidates over the next two years. The focus will be on supporting employers looking to upskill existing staff through three pathways: helping novice drivers gain their Category C (rigid lorry) licence, a Category C+E (articulated lorry) licence, or helping those with a Category C licence upgrade to a Category C+E. This includes businesses across various sectors, including transport and logistics, retail, waste & recycling, agriculture, construction & engineering, local government, utilities, and more.
The DfE funding provides a lifeline for employers, large and small, who are dealing with budget constraints. Under the new contract, HGVC will deliver partially funded courses. Large organisations with over 250 employees can receive a 70% contribution to HGV driver training through DfE funding. For small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with under 250 employees, a 90% subsidy is available through the scheme. Employers will cover the remaining course costs.
Thousands Trained So Far
Since the launch of the Skills Bootcamps in HGV Driving in December 2021, HGVC has trained around 1,800 drivers, with 1,121 now employed. Qualified drivers are securing starting salaries of up to £40,000.
HGVC’s programs have attracted a record number of applications from women, ethnic minorities, and younger people. Since April 2023, when the scheme’s previous extension was launched, more than 7% of HGVC’s trainees have been women, significantly higher than the 1% of women who are HGV drivers in the UK. Additionally, over 25% of trainees have been Black, Asian, or from other ethnically diverse groups, compared to the 4% of HGV drivers from these backgrounds in the UK.
How to Apply
The extended Skills Bootcamps in HGV Driving will go live on 1 February 2024. HGVC’s scheme is open to any businesses looking to upskill their existing staff. Candidates must hold a driver’s license for over three years. Training courses are available at 60 locations across the country. Employers can apply on the HGVC website.
Prath Kamat, Head of Marketing at HGVC, said: “This is a hugely positive initiative that the Government is undertaking and something we are proud to be a part of again. The Skills Bootcamps have significantly impacted the driver shortage, but more work remains. This is a long-term issue that requires a long-term solution. With this funding, we can get even more drivers behind the wheel and keep Britain moving.
“Moreover, for large and small employers, this is a major opportunity to upskill their staff with a significant subsidy from the Government. We’ve had great success over the past two years working with businesses across various sectors and look forward to continuing this work.”
HGVC App Launch
“We have recently launched the HGVC app for our candidates, where they can practice HGV theory and communicate with our team to get better insights into their training. This is a one-of-a-kind app and the first in the industry to provide full access to training materials and test results. We believe this will help candidates progress faster and more efficiently. The app is available for both iOS and Android users, and we are constantly working on improving it to include all the latest updates and features,” added Prath.
By integrating this new app, HGVC aims to enhance the learning experience and support candidates throughout their training journey.
