HGV Skills bootcamp extended into 2023 to train thousands of new drivers

Government has confirmed the HGV Skills bootcamp, a scheme which has been developed to support an increase in HGV driver training, has been extended into next year. Originally, this was only a one year offer for 2021 to 2022, but the one-year extension now gives people the opportunity to gain Level 2 qualifications which will prepare learners for HGV licence acquisition of all vehicles up to category C+E (articulated)

Rod McKenzie, Executive Director of Policy and Public Affairs, said: “This is great news for the logistics industry and a major victory for the RHA which has been calling for the bootcamps to be extended into 2023. It will pave the way for thousands of lorry drivers to come into the industry and tackle the continuing HGV driver shortage.

“However, there needs to be a permanent option for training providers. Providers have had to create new courses, which requires investment, and they need the assurance that these will continue beyond 2023. These courses can be funded long-term by reforming the apprenticeship levy, to include other approved funded training schemes. We also urge the Department for Education to open the training for Cat D licences, to help with the bus and coach driver shortages, this could easily be incorporated.”

There is a raft of eligibility criteria for both prospective learners and training providers, so it is important to read through the detail on the government website. In short, the government will fund the first attempt for the HGV licence as part of a programme of training, and the medical at a cost of £61 per learner. They will also fund an attempt to upgrade a licence from category C to category C+E. Learners must be eligible under the criteria for ESFA funded AEB eligibility and enrolled on one of the targeted approved for funding level 2 qualifications listed in find a learning aim. The link to the full list of providers are here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-a-skills-bootcamp

Last year the Department for Education (DfE) promised to train up to 4,000 truck drivers, 3,000 through bootcamps and 1,000 through the adult education budget (AEB). The popularity of the HGV Skills Bootcamps shows that when learners are offered a flexible fully funded training option, there is a huge amount of interest.

Official statistics released in August by the Department for Transport (DfT) revealed that the DVSA carried out 74% more HGV driving tests between January 1 and March 31, 2022, compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Loveday Ryder, DVSA Chief Executive, added: “We recognise the haulage industry keeps the wheels of our economy turning. I want to say thank you to all vocational training providers and our vocational driving examiners for supporting the changes.”

A total of 26,391 HGV driving tests were carried out in the first three months of this year, compared to 15,194 tests in the same period in 2020.