This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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New training scheme for LGV drivers
30/09/2003
Road haulage companies in Scotland are to receive up to
£1.575 million from the Road Haulage Modernisation Fund to
offer Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) driver training to their
employees.
Transport Minister Nicol Stephen said that the aim of
the scheme was to encourage safe, high quality driving by
LGV drivers throughout Scotland.
Mr Stephen said:
"Many lorry drivers who work irregular hours all too
easily miss out on training opportunities. There are also
particular problems for smaller road haulage companies that
cannot easily afford employee training. This funding will
help ensure drivers are able to access these
opportunities.
"Investing in lorry driver training will help to upskill
the workforce and attract more people from different
backgrounds into the industry.
"Training will also improve lorry driver's road safety
skills, which benefits both the haulage industry and other
road users.
"The Executive is committed to providing lifelong
learning opportunities to all members of society and
today's funding announcement."
Funding for the Scottish Driver Training Scheme (SDTS)
comes from the Scottish Executive's Road Haulage
Modernisation Fund. The SDTS will be used to develop an
initial 320-place LGV driver-training scheme for existing
adult (aged over 21 years old) employees and new recruits
into the road freight sector. SDTS provides support for
the acquisition of Cat C and C+E LGV licences, the Driving
Goods Vehicles SVQ and where needed, support for literacy
and numeracy skills. The scheme will provide a larger
amount of funding to small to medium sized enterprises,
with additional money for those in remote areas of the
country reflecting the higher costs of provision. Up to
£4750 will be available per driver. It complements the
existing Young LGV Driver Training Scheme (YDS), open to
16-21 year olds.
As with the YDS, the scheme will be managed by the Road
Haulage and Distribution Training Council (RHDTC).
Organisations (including road haulage companies) already
recognised by RHDTC as Approved Training Organisations
(ATOs) for YDS will automatically be approved for SDTS,
allowing for a quick start to the scheme.
In addition to the YDS and SDTS, the Executive's Road
Haulage Modernisation Fund is planning to launch further
initiatives in the coming months. These are the Driver
Development and the Management Development Programmes.
The Scheme has the full support of the Freight Transport
Association (FTA)and the Road Haulage Association
(RHA).