The Driver Academy Group (DAG) a consortium led by HGV training specialist HGVC, and comprising workforce solutions group Manpower and trade body Logistics UK, has a further 1,300 majority-funded Skills Bootcamps in HGV Driving places available for waste and recycling firms.

This follows the news that the consortium has been awarded the lead role on the Government’s extended Skills Bootcamps in HGV Driving. The scheme will train and place into work thousands more HGV drivers across England over the coming year.

The HGV Skills Bootcamps are flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills. First launched in December 2021, the programme has been extended for a further 12 months until 31 March 2024.

Helping local waste and recycling firms

The Department for Education (DfE) funding offers a lifeline for waste and recycling firms which have been significantly impacted by the driver shortage in recent years.

According to figures from the Local Government Association more than a fifth of councils are experiencing recruitment difficulties for HGV drivers – putting pressure on gritting and waste and collection services. Moreover, some local councils have been reportedly resorted sending recycling waste to be incinerated because of a shortage of lorry drivers.

According to the National Waste & Recycling Association by 2026, the solid waste collection industry will have 14,200 new jobs for collection drivers HGVC will lead the extension of its original contract with the DfE, with scope for further expansion if capacity allows.

While the immediate HGV driver shortage has passed, many waste and recycling firms still need more drivers to meet demand.

This translates to training at least a further 1,300 individuals over the next 12 months, potentially creating more than a thousand new drivers for the waste and recycling sector.

With these courses, the Government will fund 70 per cent of the total cost of HGV driver training through the Skills Bootcamps scheme. Employers will fund the remaining 30 per cent of the course cost.

HGVC’s courses primarily focus on the novice training, 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.

Providing ready-made drivers

For employers looking to drivers ready to get behind the wheel, HGVC is also helping to train a further 860 fully individual candidates. These candidates will gain either their Category C or Category C+E licence once they have completed their training and passed their theory and practical test.

Employers will be able to take on the first of these new drivers towards the end of the summer. Those looking to recruit these drivers should apply at: www.hgv.academy.

Overall, HGVC will lead the training of at least a further 2,160 individuals over the next 12 months and creating almost 2,000 new drivers into the logistics sector.

Since the start of the initial scheme, HGVC has helped 1,070 trainees to pass their practical test and are ready to drive. Some 535 drivers are in jobs and a further 400 have secured interviews.

James Clifford, CEO of HGVC, said: “While the immediate HGV driver shortage has passed, many waste and recycling firms still need more drivers to meet demand. This extension to the Department for Education’s Skills Bootcamps in HGV Drivers offers waste and recycling firms the opportunity to secure 70 per cent funded courses for their employees.

“For employers re-considering training budgets, this is a huge opportunity to train up new drivers or existing staff. While the economy continues to face some major challenges, this scheme really is a lifeline for the sector.”