Fife is at the forefront of efforts to tackle a worrying shortage of drivers within the road haulage industry.
The sector as a whole is experiencing a skills shortage and it is anticipated Scotland could face a shortage of up to 25,000 drivers within the next five years.
Fife Council, the Road Haulage Association and local job centres have been working closely together to ensure people from across the region gain the skills and qualifications required to secure employment.
A ground-breaking new Transport Skills Sector Academy in Fife is now helping participants receive training on road skills to complement industry-specific training, with a group of unemployed Fifers improving their chances of finding work in HGV driving as a result.
Brian Kenny, national transport manager from the RHA, said: “We are extremely proud of the work that Fife Council and its staff have put into helping them demonstrate the benefits of working in road haulage.
“It’s clear to us that the enthusiasm and determination demonstrated by these trainees will serve any employer well and that the road haulage industry in Fife will be all the better for it.”
The Road Haulage Sector Skills Academy is giving eight candidates the opportunity to learn skills in a range of different driving techniques, delivering relevant health and safety training and environment awareness, organised by Fife Council’s employability services and the RHA.
Both the RHA and Fife Council’s “Fife Job Contract” co-fund the initiative and candidates have been recruited directly from job centres.
Lucinda McAllister, employability service manager at Fife Council, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity working closely with the Road Haulage Association on this brand new Academy to provide skills and training within the industry.
“With the ongoing support provided by Fife Council and The Road Haulage Association I am sure that all the clients will be successful in their chosen career pathway.”
When the academy participants are prepared to start their driving training they will be employed by RHA members.
A number of RHA members are supporting the initiative by offering academy participants employment whilst undergoing their training, with Grahams Dairies just one example of that.
Valerie Calder, HR manager for Grahams Dairies, said: “This initiative is a fantastic, very positive response to addressing a huge gap in the transport industries shortage of drivers nationally, and we are delighted to be part of it, and have recruited one of its participants into our organisation.”
