Since its inception in 2021, the Department for Education’s HGV Skills Bootcamps scheme has helped thousands take the wheel of a new career. By February 2025, over 3,400 people had completed HGV training through HGVC-led Bootcamps, with nearly 2,700 securing job offers. The initiative has seen strong uptake from businesses too, with 965 employers - predominantly small and medium-sized enterprises - taking part.
Beyond addressing the UK’s critical driver shortage, the scheme has also improved diversity within the industry. Around 10% of applicants were women and nearly a quarter came from Black, Asian or minority ethnic backgrounds, a notable shift in a sector historically lacking representation. Roughly a third of trainees were under 36, highlighting the programme’s success in drawing younger recruits.
Skills Bootcamps, lasting up to 16 weeks, provide tailored training and are heavily subsidised depending on employer size. Smaller firms receive 90% funding, while larger organisations get 70%. Businesses can also train recruits before employment, easing entry into the logistics sector. James Kemball’s Compliance Manager, Adrian Gray, praised the scheme as a smart, cost-effective solution to workforce gaps.
While the programme’s impact is clear, concerns remain. HGVC CEO James Clifford warns that without continued funding past 2025, the UK may again face HGV driver shortages—an issue that still threatens supply chains and the wider economy.
