HGV Skills Bootcamps are a success – but more needs to be done

The Skills Bootcamps in HGV Driving scheme has made a real impact on the UK’s driver shortage since launching in 2021, according to driver training specialist HGVC. Run by the Department for Education (DfE), Skills Bootcamps have helped thousands of people get behind the wheel of an HGV.

By the end of February 2025, a total of 3474 trainees had completed their course with HGVC, and an impressive 2695 of them landed job offers.

But it’s not just individuals benefiting – 965 different companies have used the programme, including 838 small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and 127 larger enterprises.

The scheme has also helped bring more diversity into the industry, attracting younger drivers, women, and people from ethnically diverse backgrounds. Nearly 10% of applicants to HGVC’s programme have been women (compared to just 1% in the industry), while almost a quarter have come from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority groups.

Around a third of trainees have been under 36, proving the scheme is drawing fresh talent into a sector that has long struggled with an ageing workforce. Official stats back this up, showing a steady increase in women gaining HGV licences over the past three years.

Skills Bootcamps are flexible, up to 16-week training courses aimed at giving people the skills they need to succeed in the sector. Operators of all sizes have been able to access full funding by enrolling new recruits before they’re officially employed.

For smaller companies (fewer than 250 employees), the scheme covers 90% of the cost, with employers paying just 10%. Larger firms get 70% of the training covered.

For companies like James Kemball, the scheme has been a game-changer. Compliance manager Adrian Gray said: “Ensuring we have enough trained drivers is crucial for our business, and securing a fully funded place on one of HGVC’s Skills Bootcamps was an incredibly cost-effective and efficient way to solve this problem.

“We know our new drivers will have the right skills for the job from day one and it means we can respond to new business opportunities much more easily.”

But while the programme has been a success, there’s concern about what happens next. James Clifford, CEO of HGVC, warned: “A sustainable driver workforce is essential for growth. The Skills Bootcamps have played an invaluable role in helping remove the financial barrier that can deter entry into this profession for new drivers. Without them, the UK risks facing another disruptive HGV driver shortage, which will have wide-reaching implications for the UK’s economy.

“Despite the impressive legacy of the Skills Bootcamps, the problem they were designed to tackle has not been solved, and with no further funding currently confirmed beyond 2025, there are concerns within the business community about how they will continue to fund new HGV drivers.”

The latest figures from Logistics UK highlight the progress made – between Q3 2023 and Q3 2024, the number of HGV drivers employed jumped by 20.9%, adding nearly 55,000 new drivers to the workforce. But despite this growth, long-standing challenges remain, including an ageing workforce, dissatisfaction with industry infrastructure, and not enough new recruits coming through.

With the Skills Bootcamps making such a big difference, many in the industry are hoping the government will extend funding beyond 2025.

If not, the UK could find itself back where it started – with too few drivers to keep goods moving.