• HGVC encourages more small- and medium-sized agriculture and forestry firms to apply for 90% funded places while places remain 
• Employers should apply here: www.hgvc.co.uk/bootcamp

HGVC, a leading HGV training specialist HGVC is helping 17 SME agriculture and forestry firms train existing employees as part of its majority-funded Skills Bootcamps in HGV Driving scheme.

When haulage driver shortages continue to contribute to market headwinds in the sector, the Department for Education (DfE) funded Skills Bootcamps offer a lifeline for the agriculture and forestry firms.

Now, HGVC is helping 17 SME agriculture and forestry firms train new HGV drivers. However, up to 1,900 places are available over the next two years. So, HGVC is encouraging more firms to apply while places remain.

The HGV Skills Bootcamps are flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, helping people build up sector-specific skills. First launched in December 2021, the DfE has extended the programme. For employers with fewer than 250 employees, the Skills Bootcamps are 90% funded by the DfE. Employers pay the remaining 10 per cent of the course cost.   

HGVC will focus on supporting employers looking to upskill existing staff, via three pathways: 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.

James Clifford, CEO of HGVC, said: "Many agriculture and forestry firms still need more HGV drivers. We are now helping 17 agriculture and forestry firms train existing employees. But we have the capacity to train more. That's why we're encouraging SMEs to apply for the HGV Skills Bootcamps scheme, 90% funded by the DfE. For employers considering training budgets, this is a great opportunity to train existing staff. With this funding, we can get even more drivers behind the wheel and keep Britain moving."

 Kim Parsons, Managing Director, Agreco, said: "At Agreco, a reliable supply of qualified HGV drivers is essential for our efficient forestry operations. The Skills Bootcamp program, with its generous 90% funding, has been a valuable initiative. By investing in training our current workforce to become HGV certified, we can ensure timely deliveries of timber to our customers. The streamlined process offered by HGVC makes everything very manageable. We expect to have our new drivers on the road, supporting our forestry operations, very soon."

HGVC's scheme is open to any agriculture and forestry firm looking to upskill their existing staff. The training courses are available at 60 locations across the country. Employers can apply at www.hgvc.co.uk/bootcamp.