Helping keep haulage on the right road

FIFE is at the forefront of efforts to tackle a shortage of drivers in the road haulage industry.

The sector as a whole is experiencing a skills shortage and it is anticipated Scotland could be as many as 25,000 drivers down within the next five years.

Fife Council, t he Road Haulage Association (RHA) and local job centres have been working together to ensure people gain the skills and qualifications required.

A ground-breaking new Transport Skills Sector Academy in Fife is now helping participants receive training on road skills to complement industry-specific training.

Brian Kenny, national transport manager from the RHA, said: “We are extremely proud of the work Fife Council and its staff have put into helping demonstrate the benefits of working in road haulage.

“It’s clear to us the enthusiasm and determination demonstrated by these trainees will serve any employer well and the road haulage industry in Fife will be all the better for it.”

The skills academy is giving eight candidates the opportunity to learn skills in a range of different driving techniques, delivering relevant health and safety training and environment awareness, organised by Fife Council’s employability services and the RHA. The RHA and Fife Council’s “Fife Job Contract” are funding the initiative.