Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) has urged residents to apply for its HGV Transport Academy.

The academy which is now in its second year, provides free training for residents to become fully qualified HGV lorry and bus drivers.

This training programme was designed to address the shortage of drivers faced by haulage and transport firms within Lisburn and Castlereagh.

Aimed at long term unemployed or underemployed residents, the training academy provides a career pathway in haulage and transport.

The training scheme is funded through the Lisburn and Castlereagh Labour Market Partnership. Labour Market Partnerships, which create targeted employment action plans for council areas, are funded by the Department for Communities, and allow for collaboration at local and regional level to support people towards and into work.

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Councillor John Laverty BEM, Chair of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s Regeneration & Growth Committee said: "Lisburn and Castlereagh LMP has developed a way of removing the costly barriers of entry into a driving career within the transport industry while also tackling a real need from an employer perspective. It is proof that when we work in partnership we can do great things. The course is a game-changer for Lisburn and Castlereagh and the future of our transport industry.

"Interest in these programmes is expected to be very high, so I'd encourage anyone who is interested to check the eligibility criteria and apply early."

Participants can choose between:

• Category C (Class 2) HGV licence or

• Category D Bus licence HGV

The closing date for applications is 5.00pm on 29 January 2024.