The FTA and RHA are set to meet with the Treasury today to make the case for government funding for the training of HGV drivers.
Both trade associations have been pressing for a meeting with the Treasury to explore new ways to encourage people to enter the driver labour force. They want what they describe as a “simple, nationally available, readily accessible funding stream” to bridge the gap until Trailblazer apprenticeship funding for new drivers goes live in September 2017.
The pair issued a joint statement ahead of today’s gathering: “We calculate that we are 45,000 drivers short now. At least 40,000 will leave the industry over the next two years and yet we are only training at the rate of 17,000 a year.
“We welcome chancellor Osborne’s invitation to discuss what urgent measures the government might take,” the statement said, adding that the Chancellor had a “golden opportunity to fund transformational change”.
- In response to the shortage of HGV drivers, the FTA will be holding an industry summit on 12 March at the Ricoh Stadium, Coventry, for government officials, HR advisors and experienced operators to work towards solutions to the driver crisis.
