Black Country training organisation BCTG has won government funding of £875,000 to support 285 people into new jobs by running a Skills Boot Camp for HGV driving.

The funding runs until 31 March 2022 and BCTG is working with delivery partners, PDT Fleet Training, SID Training and Parker Ryan Training in running courses in the West Midlands and East of England.

Skills Boot Camps include training, testing and matching participants to employer vacancies.

BCTG chief executive Chris Luty said: “We are delighted to have won this significant funding that will help to alleviate skill shortages in the logistics and supply chain that have been highlighted in recent months as a lack of qualified HGV drivers has impacted on delivery times.

“We can offer different types of training to cover different licences and vehicle types, and so we can help match the training to the demand from employers for specific skills and qualifications.”

The types of training that are available include: Novice to Category C, and Category C=E.

Upgrading existing drivers for Category C to C+E and ADR.

And the Back To Wheels Programmes supporting retired drivers back into the industry with Category C+E.

The initiative is part of a UK-wide increased investment for Skills Bootcamps in HGV driving, meaning more than 11,000 people will now be able to take a short intensive course, enabling them to join, progress further within or re-enter the industry.

More HGV driving tests are being made available by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency to help get more drivers on the road sooner.

Mr Luty added: “Skills Bootcamps in HGV driving are free, flexible, intensive courses designed to train drivers to be road ready and gain their licence, offering people the chance to launch well-paid careers in the logistics sector. People that successfully complete the HGV courses are guaranteed a job interview with an employer, and the first drivers are expected to be on the road from March 2022.”

For more details contact enquiries@bctg.org.uk

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For further information, please contact:

Chris Luty, Chief Executive Officer,

BCTG Group, European Business Park, Taylors Lane, Oldbury, B69 2BN. Tel: 0121 544 6455

Prepared and issued by Andy Skinner of ASAP PR – mobile 07990 978257.