Government to double number of vacancies on HGV “skills bootcamp”

In the face of increasing pressure to address a nationwide labour shortage, the government has announced that 2,000 additional places will be added to the new HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) training scheme. This will take the total number of vacancies to 5,000.

The “skills bootcamp” was unveiled last month in order to tackle the HGV driver shortage and associated supply chain issues. The scheme is open to people aged 19 and over with successful trainees guaranteed a job interview with a local employer. 

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), approximately one in six adults have been unable to source necessary food items in the last 2 weeks. 

Industry leaders have previously argued that the emergency measures set out by the Government, including the HGV “skills bootcamp”, “barely scratch[ed] the surface” of the crisis.