RECRUITMENT & TRAINING NEWS
4 FEBRUARY 2020
IFATE MUST RECOGNISE
THERE IS NOT JUST ONE DRIVING OCCUPATION SAY FTA AND RHA
W
ith the shortage of qualified HGV drivers now
After three years of negotiations and discussions with IFATE and
reaching critical levels across the UK, representatives
government, it is encouraging that a workable, practical solution for
of the logistics sector have urged the Institute for
the development of two new Apprenticeship standards for logistics
Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IFATE) to provide the
is now in sight and we are urging all employers involved to prioritise
apprenticeship standards that logistics businesses need to start
the creation of these standards ready for the Summer.
training the next generation of drivers. Current industry estimates have identified an industry shortage of A recent meeting of the Trailblazer Apprenticeship group has agreed
more than 59,000 HGV drivers nationwide, and with EU workers
to continue the provision of a route for Cat C+E licence acquisition
currently representing 13% of the overall UK logistics workforce, Mr
and to press ahead for two new apprenticeships to provide separate
Burnett and Mr Wells are adamant that changes to the way logistics
routes for Cat C and Cat C+E. FTA and RHA, the two leading
firms can train new employees need to be made to the system now:
membership associations representing logistics drivers, are now calling on IFATE to recognise the distinctly different occupations of
Logistics businesses have been paying into the apprenticeship levy
urban and trunker driving and the specific skills required for each job.
for the past three years without suitable standards to draw down
The Trailblazer group will now set about developing the standards
and use the funds to improve and expand their workforces. It is a
necessary for qualifications in this area, a move welcomed by both
positive step that the sector will work together to push forwards the
David Wells, Chief Executive of FTA and Richard Burnett, Chief
standards necessary for new apprenticeships, and will give businesses
Executive of RHA:
concerned about futureproofing their workforce reassurance that assistance is finally being made available. Our industry is at the
There is no more time to be wasted if suitable standards are
heart of keeping the UK’s commerce and industry flowing, and the
to be developed and new entrants to the industry are to start
government owes it to our members to ensure they have access to
their journeys to fulfilling careers in the freight and logistics sector.
the best workforce possible to keep vehicles moving.
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FORWARDER magazine
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