The FTA said the Welsh Government has responded to its calls for support with the announcement of a significant investment in driver training. It has confirmed that it will train up to 180 unemployed people as lorry drivers.
The FTA will attend the Logistics Careers Fair in Cardiff today (November 6) to promote jobs in the sector, where it will be encouraging people to apply via Jobcentre Plus.
FTA, along with Tandem Transport Services, John Raymond Transport and Owens, has been lobbying the Department for Work and Pensions and the Welsh Government for funding for driver licence acquisition since an initial meeting with DWP in July.
Sally Gilson, skills policy development manager at the FTA, said: “This is the culmination of months of lobbying by FTA for investment in training and we are pleased that the Welsh Government recognises the importance of the freight industry.
“The money it is providing will help to fill the gap, but we continue to press central Government for investment in training to help tackle this crisis.”
Geraint Davies, fleet manager at John Raymond Transport, said: “This careers fair is an excellent platform to raise awareness of the driver shortage issue that the industry currently faces and of the career opportunities available in the sector.
“The FTA has been at the forefront of this campaign and brought the Welsh Government funding to fruition.”
Dean Arundel - 23/02/2016 09:26
Pay a fair rate, good companies attract good drivers bad companies attract poor drivers, Owens, Raymonds are bad companies bad rates of pay.