The Lisburn and Castlereagh Labour Market Partnership (LMP) is driving forward the careers of those interested in the transport and logistics industry – with the launch of a new HGV ‘employment academy’.
HGV licences are expensive to obtain and so can be simply out of reach for many people who are interested in driving as a profession.
The HGV employment academy is one of three similar initiatives which will deliver fully-funded training to help participants access employment in the fields of transport, health and social care and construction.
The initiatives are designed to respond to employer needs and a chronic skilled labour shortage across these sectors. Those applying to the employment academies must live in the Lisburn and Castlereagh borough and be unemployed or working less than 16 hours a week.
The LMP is led by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council and works alongside a range of community, voluntary and statutory stakeholders to help improve labour market conditions. Funding is provided by the Department for Communities. The academy initiative is just one of the interventions outlined within the LMP’s annual action plan.
Encouraging anyone interested in the HGV academy to find out more about what’s on offer, Alderman Allan Ewart MBE, Chair of the Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s Development Committee, said: “The Lisburn and Castlereagh Labour Market Partnership has developed a potential solution to removing the costly barriers to a career in the transport industry while at the same time, tackling the shortage of drivers. This employment academy is going to be a game-changer for Lisburn and Castlereagh and the future of our transport industry.
“Interest in the programme is expected to be very high, so I’d encourage anyone who is interested to check the eligibility criteria and apply early.”
The closing date for applications is 5.00pm on Wednesday 18 January 2023. Funding for the academy has been provided by the Department for Communities through the Lisburn and Castlereagh Labour Market Partnership.
To register and for further information please email info@workforceonline.org. To find out more and view the eligibility criteria visit www.lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk/business/labour-market-partnership.