Name road transport and logistics in new technical education routes

The RHA has called for road transport and logistics to be named as one of the new technical education pathways announced by the government today. The Prime Minister has set out plans for 14-year-olds to combine core academic subjects with technical education linked to jobs in their area, rolling out from September 2028 and shaped locally by mayors, colleges and employers. Sectors including engineering, healthcare and digital technology were named. Road transport and logistics was not named.

Commenting, RHA (Road Haulage Association) Skills Policy lead, Sally Gilson, said:


"The Prime Minister is right to say Britain should value the hard hat every bit as much as the graduation cap. For too long, technical routes have been treated as second best. Giving young people access to skilled careers from 14, and linking that learning to real vacancies locally, is exactly the change our industry needs.

"Road transport is already feeling the strain. We have a well-established driver shortage and an ageing workforce, with too few young people coming through to replace those retiring. A shortage of qualified heavy vehicle technicians is making it harder and costlier to keep fleets on the road - and 85% of Britain's goods move by road, so that is felt right across the economy.

"Decarbonisation also demands not just mechanical skill but electrical, digital and software expertise. These are also among the most future-proof jobs there are: you cannot automate the person who inspects a vehicle, spots a physical fault and carries out a safe repair."


Sally added:


"For this to work, we need road transport and logistics named as one of the local priority pathways, not left off the list. The routes must be designed with employers, lead into properly funded apprenticeships and short courses, and be backed by schools that show young people these are skilled, secure and rewarding careers.

"Get the detail right - the funding, the qualifications and the role for employers - and this is a real chance to give technical education genuine parity of esteem, and build the workforce our economy will need for decades to come."


ENDS