A new Transport Operations and Commercial Driving apprenticeship has been launched, the first on the national framework of qualifications linked with the profession of Heavy Goods Vehicle driving.
The two-year programme will provide the opportunity for employees to ‘earn as they learn’ to gain a higher education qualification as well as their professional driving qualification.
Currently the average age of commercial vehicle drivers is over 50, and only 2% of those holding a commercial vehicle license are women.
The apprenticeship is backed by lead proposer Freight Transport Association Ireland, coordinating provider Atlantic Technological University, the Health and Safety Authority, Insurance Ireland and CILT Ireland.
Simon Harris, Minister for Further and Higher Education, commented: “Twelve months ago, the FTAI came to meet minister Naughton and I to discuss this new apprenticeship. And a year later, we are here announcing it has finally commenced. That is what we need- industry and education working together to address the skills shortages we have.
In Association with
“Under this programme, apprentices are employed by a business for the duration of the two–year programme. In addition, apprentices will participate in lectures at ATU Sligo. This is good news for our economy, good news for businesses and good news for education.”
Aidan Flynn, chief executive at FTA Ireland, said there is increasing pressure on recruitment for the sector, which is struggling to recruit a diverse workforce.
“Apprenticeships are a proven means for new recruits to join a sector while still learning during their workplace training. We are confident that this new apprenticeship – the 65th launched nationwide – will attract new employees to our industry and ensure that they can take up one of the many jobs currently on offer once qualified," Flynn stated..
"The apprenticeship will complement the attainment of the full HGV licence with academic training in core modules that will facilitate a holistic understanding of the requirements to operate a commercial vehicle safely, as well as developing an understanding of the supply chain.”
EU law requires that commercial HGV drivers have both a HGV driver’s licence and a driver’s Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC). To keep a CPC valid, a driver must also complete a periodic retraining course of at least 35 hours every 5 years, taken in 7-hour tranches.
