Last week saw BBC Look North reporter Sharon Edwards reporting on the latest cohort of learners joining our Drive2Work Skills Bootcamp programme at Branston Potatoes.
Reporting on the fact that fully-funded places have been offered to a number of applicants wanting to qualify as HGV drivers on a programme delivered in tandem with the team at Branston Potatoes.
Sean Knight, Assistant Principal for Adults and Partnerships, said: “One of our current initiatives focuses on training new HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) drivers, addressing both a local and national skills shortage.
“The programme is designed to help people move into priority jobs where demand is high, and for HGVs, that demand has never been greater.
“A key part of the programme is our partnership with Branson Potatoes, a major local agricultural employer. Once participants have secured their HGV licence, we work closely with Branston and other employers to help learners transition into employment straight away. “
The training is structured to cover all aspects of becoming a qualified driver. This includes classroom-based theory, practical driver training, and preparation for the final licensing tests. Depending on a learner’s existing experience and license status, the course takes between three and four months to complete.
Supported by national funding, The Skills Bootcamp initiative is devolved to local authorities – in this case, Lincolnshire County Council.
Oscar Owen, one of the new cohort and just 19 years old, said: “The main thing that drew me to the scheme was the free funding. It’s quite an expensive course, and without that support I couldn’t justify paying for it outright.
“For me, HGV driving isn’t about a full-time career but a way of picking up well-paid work when I need it, keeping cash flow going throughout the year. I’m working in agriculture at the moment, but it’s a tough industry, and more and more it relies on HGVs. I think they’re only going to become more important, so the quicker I can get qualified, the better.”
The funding indeed plays a vital role in making training accessible. Normally, an HGV licence costs around £4,500, which is often too high a barrier for individuals to overcome. Through the Skills Bootcamp, however, the training is fully funded for individuals, and for employers the contribution is capped at just 10% for large organisations or 30% for smaller ones.
This funding model ensures that the programme is not only affordable but also sustainable, directly addressing a critical barrier to entry.
Sean added: “We’ve found that it’s not a lack of interest keeping people from HGV driving, but the prohibitive cost of training. By removing that obstacle, we’re seeing strong uptake from both younger learners starting their careers and experienced drivers looking to re-enter the industry.”
“Transport and logistics are key sectors for Greater Lincolnshire, especially within the agricultural supply chain. With an aging workforce and a well-documented national shortage of drivers, initiatives like this are crucial. By working with employers and removing barriers, Skills Bootcamps are creating real opportunities for local people and meeting the needs of vital industries.”
To find out more, visit: https://www.lincolncollege.ac.uk/driving-logistics
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Date Posted
07 October 2025
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Last Edited
07 October 2025
