How Skills Bootcamps have changed the industry
James Clifford, CEO of HGV driver training specialist HGVC, assesses the scheme’s impact on the training landscape
In December 2021, the HGV industry was short of more than 100,000 drivers. Since then, this figure has improved significantly.
Much of this short-term improvement has resulted from the government’s full- or part-funded Skills Bootcamps in HGV Driving.
But other than helping close the shortage of drivers, how have these schemes changed the HGV driver training industry? And what does this mean for firms looking to train drivers and individuals wanting to become HGV drivers?
The Skills Bootcamps
Initially introduced in December 2021, the government’s Skills Bootcamps in HGV Driving are flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, helping people build sector-specific skills.
Funded and operated by the Department for Education (DfE), the scheme has been extended several times over the last few years.
At first, the government-funded training was provided via nine pathways. These included programmes for novice car licence holders; drivers looking to upgrade their entitlement from a rigid licence to an articulated licence; ADR technical pathways (including hazardous vehicles); and training for drivers wishing to return to the industry but who need a refresher before getting behind the wheel again.
Companies looking to upskill existing drivers could also apply for government funding of 70 per cent of the scheme’s cost.
Following the success of the initial programme, which helped get around 11,000 HGV behind the wheel, the government has committed a further £50m in funding to upskill thousands more drivers over the next two years.
Now, alongside options of large employers, small and medium-sized employers with fewer than 250 employees can access up to 90 per cent funded courses by the DfE for their employees. The employers pay the remaining 10 per cent of the course cost.
New drivers
These Bootcamps have been successful on many fronts and are helping change the industry. First, the scheme has helped get thousands of drivers behind the wheel.
HGVC, one of the firms helping deliver the Skills Bootcamps in HGV Driving, has trained thousands of drivers alone. Across the industry, more than 10,000 drivers have been trained.
Second, the scheme is helping to attract more diverse drivers, including younger trainees, more women and more people from ethnically diverse backgrounds.
Since launching the scheme, around 10 per cent of applicants to our programmes have come from women, nearly 25 per cent from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority groups, and around a third are from drivers under 36. This compares to just one per cent of women and four per cent of ethnically diverse drivers in the industry currently.
Moreover, we are seeing these figures come through in the official statistics. Data from the Office of National Statistics shows a steady increase in women gaining their HGV licence over the last three years.
HGV training evolves
Above and beyond how the Skills Bootcamps are changing HGV drivers, the programmes are also changing the nature of the training.
For instance, apprenticeships used to be a relatively common route into the industry, but when someone can train and get a high-paying HGV driving job in 16 weeks, why would they sign up for a 12-month apprenticeship?
So, the training is becoming more focused, helping drivers get behind the wheel more quickly, which is what the industry needs.
In addition, we’re also seeing a difference in how new drivers come into the industry. In the past, it was led by the individual trainees themselves. They wanted to become an HGV driver and would fund the cost of the training course themselves.
However, this was often a significant risk for an individual. The course isn’t cheap, and there was no guarantee they would get a job.
Now, with 70 per cent or 90 per cent funded courses for employers, we see much more interest from existing employees who want to gain new skills and become HGV drivers.
Often, this supports their professional development. These employees may have been in a warehouse role or a less-well-paid driving job. Now, with these Bootcamps, they can become an HGV driver in just 16 weeks, gain new skills and secure a pay rise.
It’s also a win-win for the employer. The Skills Bootcamps help employers retain good workers and meet their demand for HGV drivers. No longer must they only rely on the open market to find drivers. They can plan and train the drivers they need when they need them.
Overall, the Skills Bootcamps have been a huge success. The scheme has helped to close the chronic shortage of HGV drivers and is now helping to address the long-term gap by enabling employers to train the drivers they need.
