FE News: Back more bootcamps to meet demand

Media coverage in The Times last month caused a stir when it was reported that Work and Pensions Secretary Thérèse Coffey suggested that teens could be trained to drive HGVs.

Government ministers proposed that the UK could abandon EU driving regulations – that limit the types of vehicles newly-qualified drivers can operate – to tackle the shortage of delivery drivers in the UK. With a larger pool of drivers available, many supermarkets, retailers and logistics businesses could have a greater chance of alleviating the pressures and backlogs currently plaguing supply chains.

Qube Learning had 500 enquiries on the first day the course became available. There is certainly demand for drivers, and there is demand for training. Before suggesting teenagers begin training to drive lorries, we should first matching training to candidates in line with current supply and demand.

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