Industry Seeks Government Funding for Truck Licence Training

For the last few weeks, we have been watching closely to see how the haulage industry would begin tackling the driver shortage following the conclusion of the Christmas shopping season. Nearly two months into the new year, it is clear that organisations such as the Freight Transport Association (FTA) and the Road Haulage Association (RHA) are expecting the Government to become an active partner in encouraging more people to earn a truck licence in order to become professional drivers.

Both organisations recently met with the Department for Transport and the Treasury Department to let their needs be known prior to the forming of the 2015 budget. As with others in the industry, the two organisations believe the Government should do more to provide financing for young students who want to become professional truck drivers. Whether that financing comes from students’ grants, loan assistance or some other means, young people need to be able to access training easily as soon as they are old enough to possess an HGV licence.

In an official statement issued jointly by the FTA and RHA, representatives said another possible way to help the industry is to provide grants directly to road transport operators who would then use the money to hire and train new drivers. This sort of arrangement would put the responsibility of truck licence training on companies willing to hire rather than on individual students who may take the training and then decide not to work in the industry.

The joint statement makes it clear that both the Treasury and the Department for Transport now know where the industry stands. The current 45,000-driver shortage will only get worse as time goes by if nothing is done to funnel more young people into training and eventual careers.

Financial Assistance

Young people interested in earning a truck licence should not be dissuaded because of the cost. This is one of the primary reasons the HGV Training Centre partners with a financing company to make it possible for young students to begin training right away. Students need not worry too much about paying back what they borrow given the fact that HGV jobs are so plentiful throughout the UK.

Anyone interested in taking advantage of our training and financing package need only contact us through our website or over the phone. We will provide you with all of the information you need to determine whether financing driver training is right for you.

In the meantime, we want to assure you that a career as a professional driver is one you will find both rewarding and fulfilling. It is an opportunity to earn good pay in a position that offers fresh challenges and plenty of opportunity to learn and grow. Professional driving also offers a measure of stability that you will not find in some other industries.

The HGV Training Centre can help you get started in your truck licence training as soon as you are ready. Just get in touch.