A company which successfully trained thousands of HGV drivers under the Skills Bootcamp initiative, before it was axed by the government last year, is warning that without centralised funding for HGV training courses HGV operators will struggle to meet their staffing needs.
The warning comes from logistics training partner Insite, as it published its Skills Bootcamps in HGV Driving pass rate data for 2025, revealing that 89% of candidates on Insite-run courses passed the practical test module.
This figure compares to a national pass rate of 61.1% for the 2025-26 financial year to date - a figure which covers all LGV training formats, not just Skills Bootcamps.
In addition, an impressive 99.98% of drivers who qualified with Insite went on to pass their CPC qualification test.
Insite, which was formerly known as HGVC, also saw high pass rates across the three theory modules: 83% of candidates passed the multiple-choice module; 96% passed the hazard perception element; while 91% achieved a pass for the case study module.
All pass rates were achieved within the two attempts allowed in the Skills Bootcamp model, with no additional self-funded attempts required.
Insite, which has over 400 training centres across the UK, offers training courses for every licence category in the UK, along with driver CPC, HIAB, ADR, forklift, and excavator courses.
Founded in 2012, the company has provided training for major organisations, including Amazon, the AA, Morrisons Utilities, Travis Perkins, NHS ambulance service, MOD overseas, and Amey Services.
Insite was the largest provider of HGV Skills Bootcamps for businesses, an initiative launched by the Department for Education (DfE) in 2021.
In May last year the government announced it was axing its HGV driver training programme after just three years, despite the ongoing HGV driver shortage crisis.
In total, Insite trained more than 4,500 new HGV drivers over 1,100 different UK organisations through Skills Bootcamps. Of these, more than 85% immediately entered the workforce.
Commenting on the figures, James Clifford, Insite chief executive, said: “While 2025 marked the last year of centralised funding for Skills Bootcamps in HGV Driving, it is important to reflect on the success of the initiative.
“The pass rates we publish today highlight just how effective they have been in delivering a steady flow of well-trained and competent HGV drivers into the UK workforce.
“When compared with the national LGV pass rate – which has averaged 61% for the last three financial years – it is clear that Skills Bootcamps were a brilliant example of how to provide efficient and cost-effective training.
“Now that centralised funding has ended, we need to find other ways to help businesses meet their training needs.
He warned: “If training remains too expensive or difficult to access, there is a real risk that businesses will struggle to fulfil essential requirements, or experience periods of inactivity that affect productivity and lead to financial losses.”
In June 2025, Insite launched an expanded training service. It continues to offer an end-to-end licence acquisition service, but now also provides fully managed warehouse training, including forklift driver training, introduction to warehousing, and first aid courses, and construction training, including CPCS & NPORS accredited plant training to ensure safe and effective operations on all construction sites.
Many former Skills Bootcamp clients – including Biffa, Vinci Construction, Clear Channel, DX Group – continue to access broader training support from Insite, reflecting the growing demand for a fully-managed training solution, the company added
