Budding lorry drivers in Ards and North Down are being funded to receive their HGV licences, with a guaranteed job interview.
The local council has just launched the Ards and North Down HGV Training and Employment Academy, which will fully fund 30 eligible individuals to gain an HGV licence (Class 1 or Class 2) and a guaranteed interview, on successful HGV licensing.
Ards and North Down Council states: “The programme has been designed to respond to specific local needs by closing the gap between local employers’ needs and the skilled labour shortage in the HGV sector.
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“Having undertaken a Strategic Assessment of the local labour market conditions, including the impact of Covid-19, and a consultation process with stakeholders, the Labour Market Partnership developed a local Action Plan for 2021-2023 which includes the development of projects and interventions to help address local issues, whilst meeting core DfC objectives addressing”
Funding of over £400,000 has been allocated by Stormont to council Labour Market Partnerships, with identified targets on three main themes. They are supporting people into employment, young people with “employability challenges” and Covid-19 related labour market disruption.
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey said: “I am delighted to welcome the formal launch of the Ards and North Down Labour Market Partnership. This is a very exciting initiative and will play an important role in my Department’s employability offer in the coming years.
“The Labour Market Partnership approach offers significant potential to deliver on key Departmental commitments to support employability provision tailored to local needs as well as contribute to an inclusive economy and community wealth building.”
The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Karen Douglas, said: “Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Labour Market Partnership will specifically help to open up new opportunities for the people of our Borough.
"The HGV Training and Employment Academy is the first of our locally focussed programmes. It offers the opportunity to retrain and upskill individuals with a guaranteed job interview on successful completion, providing excellent opportunities for jobseekers as well as employers.”
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