FAQs about HGV Skills Bootcamps answered

The Government is investing in Skills Bootcamps to train up to 5,000 people to become HGV drivers. In addition, people can train through courses accessed locally and funded by the Government’s Adult Education Budget. The move will help tackle skills shortages and support more people to launch new careers within the logistics sector. Find all the answers to the FAQs about HGV Skills Bootcamps!

 

What Skills Bootcamps are available?

Skills Bootcamps in HGV driving are now available. Skills Bootcamps are free, flexible courses that last up to 16 weeks. Participants that are looking for a new job, and successfully complete the course, are also guaranteed a job interview with a local employer. The free, short, intensive HGV courses will train drivers to be road ready (and gain a cat C or cat C&E licence), helping to tackle the current HGV driver shortage.

You can find out more about Skills Bootcamps here: Free courses for jobs – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

 

Are Skills Bootcamps in HGV driving for me?

You are eligible to apply for a Skills Bootcamp in HGV driving if you are aged 19 or over and are employed, self-employed, have recently become unemployed (in the past 12 months), or are returning to work after a break. You will also need to have a full UK driving licence.

Some Skills Bootcamps have additional eligibility criteria, so check with your local Skills Bootcamp provider.

There will be a range of courses on offer to suit varying levels of experience, so you may be interested in applying for a Skills Bootcamp in HGV driving if you:

  • have no, or limited, experience in HGV driving and you’re interested in starting a new job in the industry
  • require additional HGV qualifications, such as Accord Dangereux Routier (“ADR”) or the Petroleum Driver Passport (“PDP”)
  • wish to upgrade from driving licence category C to category C+E
  • are returning to the HGV profession

 

How do I apply to be on a Skills Bootcamp to be an HGV driver?

Information on where the courses will be running across the country and how you can apply to take part will be available on the government website here: List of Skills Bootcamps – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

You can contact the National Careers Service for advice on the options open to you, stay up to date on course availability and register your interest in Skills Bootcamps: nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/contact-us.

Skills Bootcamps in HGV Driving open up every few months – check out our vacancies page for our available Bootcamps today!

 

Do I have to pay for HGV Skills Bootcamp?

No, Skills Bootcamps training is free of charge to eligible learners.

 

How long will Skills Bootcamps in HGV driving take?

Skills Bootcamps in HGV driving are short, intensive training courses of up to 16 weeks. It may take longer to gain your licence, as this will vary depending on the tests required.

 

Are there other routes available to help me become an HGV driver?

Yes, there are currently five Level 2 certificates in driving goods vehicles which are available to take now:

– Highfield Level 2 Certificate in Driving Goods Vehicles

– ProQual Level 2 Certificate in Driving Goods Vehicles

– Pearson Edexcel Level Certificate in Driving Goods Vehicles

– ICQ Level 2 Certificate in Driving Goods Vehicles

– SQA Level 2 Certificate in Driving Goods Vehicles

If your local provider is offering these courses, then you may be able to get funding for both your medical and HGV licences as part of the Government’s Adult Education Budget (AEB). This offer is available between 1st August 2021 and 31st July 2022 and subject to your providers availability.

Previously, any adult who took these qualifications had to pay for their own licences.

 

What does the Bootcamp funding cover and am I eligible?

AEB funding will cover a maximum of one test per person and it applies only to the cost of an HGV and medical licence, not the cost of the qualification itself. Taking a course is also subject to availability at your local provider.

These existing qualifications are either fully funded by government or co-funded depending on your personal circumstances, such as your age, income, or qualifications you have previously gained.

If you are fall into one of the following groups, you could also be eligible to have the cost of a Level 2 qualification in HGV driving funded:

  • Unemployed
  • Currently earn less than £17,374.50

Please contact your provider to find out more about the courses on offer and eligibility.

 

What will I learn on the Skills Bootcamp?

The course will cover all the testing, training and support required to take someone with experience of only driving a car right through to being a road ready HGV driver.

AEB qualifications in HGV driving consist of around 150 guided learning hours. The length of time taken to complete the qualifications will depend on the providers who deliver the qualification and the individual circumstances and prior experience of the learner.

 

What steps should I take to access these skills bootcamps and AEB funding?

If you are interested in applying for this training, you can find out more by;

  • Visiting the National Careers Service find a course tool
  • Contacting your local FE provider to find out if they offer one of the 5 driving qualifications and to confirm if you are eligible to have your medical and licences funded by the AEB
  • Speaking to a local careers adviser at service.gov.uk/contact-us to find out more

Individuals should contact their training provider if they have any queries about the cost of their HGV and medical licences.

If you have taken one of the courses listed above between 1st August and today, then please contact your provider to find out if your medical and license costs could be backdated and funded by the AEB. This is subject to your provider’s availability.

 

What skills will be helpful if I want to become an HGV driver?

There are a few skills you will need to possess in order to become an HGV Driver, these include;

  • A sense of responsibility
  • Alertness
  • An ability to work independently
  • Impeccable driving record
  • Customer service skills
  • Knowledge of truck mechanics
  • Maintenance skills
  • Reliability
  • Organisational skills
  • Excellent driving skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Concentration skills

If you want to prepare for a course in HGV driving, you might want to build up these skills. You can access free, online courses in employability skills like some of the ones listed above via The Skills Toolkit at: gov.uk/theskillstoolkit.

If you want to find out more about free courses and qualifications that could help boost your skills and get ahead in work, visit: gov.uk/free-courses-for-jobs to discover more options.

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