Scheme sees 230 trained to meet regional shortage

More than 230 lorry drivers have been trained up to help meet a regional and national shortage thanks to funding from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.

The ‘Steer We Go’ campaign launched last year saw the Combined Authority provide funding to help recruit and then train hundreds of new drivers, providing locals with bespoke packages of help both behind the wheel and with skills such as job interview prep.

Over the last year 235 lorry drivers have passed their practical test and are now ready to drive, helping address a regional, and national shortage that had caused empty supermarket shelves and queues at the pumps.

88 of those new drivers passed their tests after taking part in a weekly, hands-on and Mayoral Combined Authority-funded lorry training course at Bristol College’s Motor Vehicle Centre.

Nearly 70 of those drivers are already in jobs securing starting salaries of up to £40,000.

 Mayor Dan Norris, who is responsible for skills and training, will meet some of this year’s current crop of 80-plus learners finding out how, at the end of the course, learners go away with key skills they need to become lorry drivers, and get guaranteed interview with top-notch West haulage firms – including Wilmotts and wholesale food seller Sysco – before getting behind the wheel of an HGV himself.

He said: “HGV drivers are vital to keeping the West of England moving. But we’ve all seen the impact of regional and national shortage of drivers in terms of empty supermarket shelves, and prices being driven up adding to the frightening cost-of-living crisis.

 “I am pleased that the Mayoral Combined Authority I lead has reacted flexibly by taking the immediate, and long-term action necessary to help fix this problem, and recruit the drivers we need to keep our region on the move. 230-plus drivers in 12 months is no easy feat.

“I’m proud the to be tackling the labour shortages we face to enable our great region to thrive.”