Prime Minister highlights need to enhance skills and training in speech on reducing net migration

Today, during the Prime Minister’s speech on reducing net migration, he focused on enhancing skills and training across the UK to address economic growth challenges.

Our key sector plays a crucial role in keeping goods and passengers moving across the country and as I’ve said previously, as an economic enabler, we’re very well placed to kickstart growth.

To meet future demands, our recent report on HGV drivers showed that we’ll require 40,000 new lorry drivers each year over the next five years, alongside a substantial and urgent increase in qualified technicians.

The drivers and technicians who keep vehicles moving, aren't just important – they're essential to supply chains and industries locally, regionally and nationally. Without addressing these specific challenges, the broader economic ambitions outlined by Government simply cannot be realised.

It’s encouraging to hear the Prime Minister highlight the importance of investment in training being a government priority. Flexible learning options such as bootcamps represent practical pathways into our sector. Indeed extending bootcamps to Cat D drivers is one of 14 recommendations in our Coaches – A Clear Route to Growth report we’ve launched ahead of #NationalCoachWeek which started today.

Future-proofing skills and fostering collaboration between industry, education bodies, and decision makers locally and nationally must move from discussion phase into action.

We stand ready to explore new ways to create opportunities for the next generation of our sector. We're ready to collaborate and engage in developing the workforce solutions our industry and the wider economy urgently needs.