Department for Education announces HGV Skills Bootcamps

The Department for Education (DfE) has this afternoon published a Prior Information Notice (PIN) regarding the delivery of Skills Bootcamps to help alleviate the current HGV driver shortage.

Skills Bootcamps are substantial training programmes lasting up to 16 weeks that are delivered flexibly to adults aged 19 and over with a guaranteed interview for a vacancy with an employer.  They are designed to meet employer needs to fill skills gap vacancies and shortages by providing a pipeline of job ready individuals. The DfE is keen for training providers to partner with recruiters to ensure the candidates have quick and easy access to relevant vacancies.

These Skills Bootcamps in HGV Driving will lead to participants becoming fully qualified drivers in possession of either a full Cat C or a full Cat C and C+E licence.  The course will include all tests and licence acquisition costs including the initial medical.  Suppliers will engage with employers and recruiters to secure interviews for their participants when their training is complete.

As part of the launch of the HGV Bootcamps, the DfE is hosting a free-market engagement event on 30 September 2021 at 9am over MS Teams. As part of this they are keen to hear from organisations involved in the sector including recruiters who operate in this arena. If you are interested in attending this event, please email your full name, company name and job title to skills.bootcamps@education.gov.uk to register your interest and they will email a Teams link to the event.  Due to the expected demand, the DfE has asked that attendees please restrict registrations to 2 per company.