This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Young Driver Training Scheme
25/03/2003
Young people in Scotland seeking a career in road haulage were given a boost today with the announcement of the launch of the Young Driver Training Scheme. This initiative is part of the Scottish Road Haulage Modernisation Fund (RHMF).
The scheme will provide substantial financial assistance to companies to allow young drivers to obtain a Category 'C' LGV licence from age 18, without having to wait until 21.
It will be managed by the Road Haulage and Distribution Training Council (RHDTC) and will provide support of up to £2,500 per driver to provide high quality training. A higher amount of support is available where the firm concerned is based in an assisted area.
The scheme is part of a series of initiatives to be launched throughout 2003. Drivers already within the industry will be supported through the development of a new Driver Development Demonstration Programme, which will help drivers to make savings in fuel and operational costs.
Also, a modern management programme, to be introduced later in the year, will help improve management skills within the sector and lead to increases in business efficiency and productivity.
The Scottish Executive has developed these initiatives under the Scottish RHMF in conjunction with the Road Haulage Association (RHA), the Freight Transport Association (FTA) and the RHDTC.
Deputy Transport Minister Lewis Macdonald said:
"Today's announcement of a Young Driver Training Scheme represent a significant investment in the future of both the road haulage industry in Scotland and the lifelong learning opportunities for young people.
"It also represents a major step in addressing the industry's concerns about a future driver shortage whilst at the same time underlining our commitment to develop life long learning opportunities and to tackle environmental issues."
Mr Macdonald welcomed the appointment of Mr Chris Campbell as Project Manager to drive forward the initiatives under the Scottish RHMF. Mr Campbell joins the RHDTC on secondment from the FTA where he has also held the post of training manager for Scotland. Mr Macdonald added:
"I welcome the appointment of Mr Campbell to a post in which I am sure his experience in this field will contribute to the overall success of the Scottish RHMF."
Chris Campbell said:
"Today's announcement shows the Executive's commitment to support road hauliers by addressing the training issues that hauliers at all levels currently face, and along with the FTA and the RHA I welcome the significant investment being announced."
This new training initiative complements the CleanUp Scotland programme which was launched last November, and which is part funded by the Scottish RHMF. CleanUp aims to reduce pollution by providing grants for hauliers to fit particulate traps and other emission reducing technology to their vehicles.
The Scottish RHMF is the product of extensive and on-going consultation between the Scottish Executive, the Road Haulage and Distribution Training Council, the Road Haulage Association and the Freight Transport Association to ensure that the needs of the industry in Scotland are met.
The Young Driver Training Scheme will enable young drivers to gain high quality training, leading to a transferable Level 2 Scottish Vocational Qualification, and a category 'C' LGV licence at age 18 instead of at 21.
Additional elements of the Scottish RHMF, including a Driver Performance Demonstration Programme and a Modern Management Programme will be launched later in 2003.
The CleanUp Scotland programme was launched in November 2002 and is part funded by the Scottish RHMF. Further details on the programme and the grants available can be found on the CleanUp website at http://www.cleanup.org.uk or by contacting the Transport Energy team at the Energy Savings Trust on 0131 244 1605.