FUNDING worth £400,000 has been announced in Scotland to help prepare workforces for the switch to zero emission heavy duty vehicles (HDVs).
Transport Scotland said decarbonising the HDV sector involves moving from diesel-powered trucks, buses and coaches to zero emission alternatives. Developing the skills to build, operate, repair and maintain zero emission HDVs and their charging infrastructure is described as key.
The Zero Emissions HDV Skills Challenge Fund is aimed at supporting organisations to address some of the skills and workforce challenges the sector is facing as efforts are made to accelerate the transition.
Scotland’s 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.
“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.”
Details on the fund and how to apply are available on the Transport Scotland website – Skills Challenge Fund for Heavy Duty Vehicle Decarbonisation | Transport Scotland
