Ryan FowlerThe Scottish Government has launched a £400,000 fund to support the development of workforce skills needed for the transition to zero-emission heavy duty vehicles (HDVs), including trucks, buses and coaches.
The Zero Emissions HDV Skills Challenge Fund aims to help organisations address critical challenges in training and recruitment as the industry moves away from diesel-powered vehicles. The initiative is part of a wider effort to prepare Scotland’s transport sector for decarbonisation and meet net zero targets.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “The transition to net zero will lead to a change in the type of jobs within the transport sector, so it’s essential we help workers access the skills they need to adapt to and support that change. The Zero Emission Heavy Duty Vehicles Skills Challenge Fund is being launched to support organisations in addressing the key challenges for the sector – covering issues such as access to training, increasing diversity and encouraging private investment in skills.”
Hyslop added: “The delivery of this fund is a Programme For Government commitment and I encourage companies to take this opportunity to develop skills for the transition and tackle long-standing workforce challenges making the sector more attractive to new entrants.”
The fund will focus on enabling companies and training providers to develop capabilities required to build, operate, repair and maintain zero-emission HDVs and related infrastructure such as charging and fuelling networks.
This story was first published on our sister publication The Haulier.
