Leicester Mercury

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COUNCIL OFFERING RESIDENTS HELP TO GET HGV LICENCE

- By STAFF REPORTER j.powar@harborough.gov.uk investinha­rborough.com/logistics harborough.gov.uk/covid19bus­inessgrant­s

PEOPLE in a district are being offered an opportunit­y to get HGV driver training to help them seek prosperous and secure employment.

Harborough District Council has teamed up with Job Centre Plus to offer training to help people gain a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) or large goods vehicle (LGV) licence to benefit from the increased demand for drivers in the logistics sector.

This is due to the combinatio­n of Covid, Brexit, tax changes and a lack of training opportunit­ies over the past 18 months.

The Commercial Driving Licence Support Scheme, using some of the government’s Additional Restrictio­ns Grant funding, will support individual­s who were either on furlough or on low incomes and would like to complete the relevant HGV/ LGV training courses.

The scheme will also fund the cost of the licence with between £1,000 and £1,500 of support.

Participan­ts could then be supported into potential job roles as drivers.

Councillor Phil King, leader of Harborough District Council, said: “Drivers are in huge demand at the moment, with significan­t salaries being offered to many with the right training.

“I would encourage eligible local residents, those who are on furlough, or benefits such as Universal Credit or council tax support, to take advantage of this training opportunit­y while they can – particular­ly with the vital importance that logistics has in our local economy.”

For more informatio­n, contact the council’s grants and funding officer, Jaswinder Powar, on 07874 876579 or email:

There is also informatio­n about this and other grant opportunit­ies at:

 ?? PA ?? ON COURSE FOR CHANGE: A district council is offering a grant to help people train to become HGV or LGV drivers
PA ON COURSE FOR CHANGE: A district council is offering a grant to help people train to become HGV or LGV drivers

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