A new fully funded training course for novice High Goods Vehicles (HGV) drivers’ part of the Skills Bootcamps programme should bring cheer to the supply chain industry.The programme funded by the Department for Education(DfE) is apt for HGV drivers as well as industry heads recruiting employees. Once again, this new programme to recruit and train thousands of drivers to ease the industry’s chronic shortage crisis will be spearheaded by training specialist HGVC.
Here’s where it gets interesting, the new scheme provides new opportunities for employers of any size to claim 100% of the funding they require to train a candidate, even before they actually become part of the business. Exciting right? These are flexible courses lasting up to 16 weeks and deliver the sector specific skills required to obtain a Category C (rigid lorry) licence. Additionally, employers also get a chance to meet potential candidates on recruitment days held at the HGVC’s regional training centres. Medical assessments, trials and preliminary interviews form part of these sessions and offer a thorough vetting system of recruits.
HGVC CEO James Clifford said the expanded programme was ‘a valuable option for employers’ since the new fullyfunded courses allow employers to recruit novice drivers, without spending a penny. Additionally, our regional recruitment days help firms to select candidates prior to them joining the scheme. This represents a huge opportunity for employers,” he added.
To date, the bulk of the courses conducted under the programme have been partially funded. Previously, the scheme provided a 90 percent subsidy for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and a 70 percent subsidy for those who employ more than 250 people.
Line managers, supervisors and contractors in the supply chain industry are pleased with such HGV training services. Many say it has simplified their jobs. HGVC’s regional training day in Nottingham helped recruit well-qualified HGV drivers that were vital in delivering transport infrastructure services across the UK. “Securing fully funded places in the HGV Skills Bootcamps signifies that our candidates started their jobs as fully qualified HGV drivers, a win-win for all involved,” says James.
From the driver’s perspective, the impact of these training opportunities is profound. A recent graduate of the Skills Bootcamp, remarked, “The fully funded programme provided by HGVC was a gateway to a new career path in logistics. Starting from scratch, I was able to secure a Category C licence and am now employed with a leading logistics firm.”
Others who also benefited from the programme spoke of the training and support received were all comprehensive in nature. ‘It isn’t just about passing the test it’s about preparing for a sustainable career as an HGV driver,’ this seems to sum up the emotions around the training.
If an employer wishes to enroll candidates on the HGV Skills Bootcamp they can do so through the official HGVC website.This is a critical step in growing the skilled workforce in sectors such as transport, retail, waste & recycling, agriculture and many more, backed by a total government commitment of funding skills bootcamps.
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