The number of places for veterans to train as HGV drivers will increase under new plans to better prepare service leavers for employment following their military careers.

Under the Career Transition Partnership – the MOD’s official scheme for those transitioning from the military into civilian life – the current provision of 100 training places will increase to nearly 350 places over the next 12 months.

Minister for Defence People and Veterans Leo Docherty said: “This fantastic initiative will provide service leavers and veterans with valuable skills and opportunities to help them find employment as they leave the military, while aiding a cross-government effort to increase the number of HGV trained drivers.”

The expansion of the driver training offer will aid a cross-government effort to increase the number of HGV drivers, whilst also recognising the ask from service leavers and veterans for more funded vocational training. 

In addition, following agreement with the Department for Transport and Department for Education, veterans who already hold an HGV licence, but have not undertaken the training to drive commercially, will be able to use DfE Skills Bootcamps to gain this qualification. 

The Defence School of Transport has been granted approval to train service leavers with the first of these courses having already begun and 120 places made available throughout the year.