FORESTRY and arboriculture firm are being offered help to train existing employees to drive HGVs. 

HGVC, a leading HGV training specialist, is helping 17 companies across agriculture as part of its majority-funded Skills Bootcamps in HGV Driving scheme.

However, up to 1,900 places are available over the next two years, so HGVC is encouraging more firms to apply while places remain.

James Clifford, CEO of HGVC, said: “Many agriculture and forestry firms still need more HGV drivers."

When haulage driver shortages continue to contribute to market headwinds in the sector, the Department for Education (DfE) funded Skills Bootcamps offer a lifeline for the agriculture and forestry firms.

The HGV Skills Bootcamps are flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, helping people build up sector-specific skills.

First launched in December 2021, the DfE has extended the programme. For employers with fewer than 250 employees, the Skills Bootcamps are 90 per cent funded by the DfE. Employers pay the remaining 10 per cent of the course cost.   

HGVC will focus on supporting employers looking to upskill existing staff, via three pathways: helping novice drivers gain their Category C (rigid lorry) licence, a Category C+E (articulated lorry) licence or helping those with a Category C licence upgrade to a Category C + E.

Plantscape Tree Services and Parish Arboriculture are among the tree-care firms already signed up to the scheme. 

James added: "We are now helping 17 agriculture and forestry firms train existing employees. But we have the capacity to train more.

"That’s why we’re encouraging SMEs to apply for the HGV Skills Bootcamps scheme, 90 per cent funded by the DfE. For employers considering training budgets, this is a great opportunity to train existing staff. 

"With this funding, we can get even more drivers behind the wheel and keep Britain moving.”

HGVC’s scheme is open to any agriculture and forestry firm looking to upskill their existing staff. The training courses are available at 60 locations across the country. Employers can apply at www.hgvc.co.uk/bootcamp.