HGV drivers are essential for many businesses across the UK. From logistics to agricultural and construction companies, many sectors rely on HGV drivers to transport goods and keep Britain moving.

However, recruiting HGV drivers can be difficult. Cost is a barrier to entry for trainee drivers and regional firms may not have the resources to train new drivers. That’s why Skills Bootcamps in HGV Driving, part or fully funded by the Department for Education, can make a significant difference to local businesses hoping to recruit new drivers.

For example, one such programme involves Norfolk and Suffolk county councils, which have funded 30 places for novice drivers to become HGV drivers. It’s a new initiative to get more local people into work and bolster regional businesses. The scheme is poised to benefit job seekers and local employers, ensuring a steady supply of qualified drivers in the region.

The benefits of Skills Bootcamps

These fully funded Skills Bootcamps address a critical need within the local economy: the demand for qualified HGV drivers. With this initiative, residents of Norfolk and Suffolk are undergoing rigorous training to earn their Category C (rigid lorry) licence, opening doors to new career opportunities with starting salaries that can reach around £40,000. For those who progress to drive hazardous materials, such as fuel, salaries can increase to approximately £70,000.

The Skills Bootcamps in HGV Driving are flexible courses of up to 16 weeks to help people build sector-specific skills. Since their inception in December 2021, and with the Department for Education extending the program into 2025, they have become a critical part of the HGV training landscape. They have been crucial in helping eliminate the financial barrier that can deter entry into this profession for new drivers.

More broadly, these Skills Bootcamps are helping get thousands of new drivers behind the wheel. HGVC, one of the firms helping deliver the Skills Bootcamps in HGV Driving, has trained thousands of drivers alone. Across the industry, more than 10,000 drivers have been trained.

In addition, the Skills Bootcamps in HGV Driving are helping more diverse drivers, including younger trainees, more women and more people from ethnically diverse backgrounds, get into the industry. For instance, since launching the scheme, around 10% of applicants to our programmes have come from women, nearly 25% from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority groups, and around a third are from drivers under 36. These numbers compare to just 1% of women and 4% of ethnically diverse drivers in the industry.

Moreover, we are seeing these figures come through in the official statistics. Data from the Office of National Statistics shows a steady increase in women gaining their HGV licence over the last three years.

Norfolk and Suffolk trainees

Trainees are already actively engaged in both theoretical and practical training modules. By October, these individuals will be fully certified and ready to meet the needs of employers across Norfolk and Suffolk, just in time for the busy Autumn to December season.

Our training approach at HGVC is proven and effective, with pass rates of 80%, substantially higher than the national average. This success rate underscores our commitment to excellence and our capability to deliver well-trained, competent drivers to the workforce.

By alleviating the cost of HGV driver training, Norfolk and Suffolk county councils are not just facilitating employment but are also investing in the long-term economic health of their region. The new drivers we train will play a vital role in helping businesses meet customer demand and expand their operations.

The scheme is open to other local authorities who would also like to help businesses in their region employ more HGV drivers and help get local people into a well-paid career.

Speaking about the Skills Bootcamps in HGV Driving, Bev Wallman, Skills Broker for the Norfolk and Suffolk Skills Bootcamps at Suffolk County Council, echoes this sentiment: ‘HGV drivers are essential for many local businesses based across Suffolk and Norfolk, from retailers and logistics firms to the region’s farmers and food producers. That’s why we’ve invested in helping train 30 new HGV drivers that can help these organisations grow. What’s more, we’re helping local people get a job in a well-paid and vital sector.’

In conclusion, this initiative is a testament to what can be achieved through strategic partnerships and dedicated funding. Together, we are paving the way for a more prosperous future for the trainees and businesses in Norfolk and Suffolk.

This article first appeared in the Autumn issue of LAPV. To subscribe for free click here.