Ministers have agreed to increase the funding limit for Large Goods Vehicles apprenticeships. Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson has confirmed that funding for C+E apprenticeships will increase to £7,000 from 1 July.

RHA Chief Executive, Richard Burnett said the announcement was a step towards resolving the driver shortage but said much more needed to be done.

He said: “We’ve worked tirelessly over the last year to unblock this problem and we’re pleased that the Government has listened. But this is only one element to help tackle the growing driver shortage crisis. This move will support firms to recruit and train new drivers in the long term, but the industry needs immediate help as the demand for goods increases as lockdown restrictions are lifted.”

With increasing demands being placed on UK hauliers, we hope the increased funding will help to attract more people into driving roles either by upskilling or retraining, as well as attract the younger generation looking to start their careers in haulage. Not only will this help plug the driver skills shortage and generation gap that is currently present, it will support haulage operator’s move to digital ways of working, taking more pressure off the industry.