The training, provided by COTS Training on behalf of Coleg Sir Gar and other providers, has enabled many participants to transition from their previous roles and embark on careers in the haulage industry.
Sian Morris, who now works for Gregory Distribution, expressed her satisfaction with the training she received. She completed the Transport Manager CPC last November at COTS Llandarcy, funded by Coleg Sir Gar.
Morris described the course as enjoyable and credited the excellent tutor, facilities, and supportive staff for her success. Her positive experience inspired her to pursue further training and fulfil her long-standing ambition of obtaining her class 1 license.
Morris, who had previously worked in transport administration, saw this as a natural progression in her career. With two sons and a husband already holding class 1 licenses, she recognized the additional job opportunities and enhanced CV this achievement would provide.
Undertaking the training made available through the PLA program has proven to be a lifeline for Morris, as it allowed her to escape her long-standing dissatisfaction with her previous role.
Rebecca Evans, Minister for Finance and Local Government, highlighted the dual objectives of the pilot program. It aimed to increase employment in sectors experiencing a skills shortage and address gender inequality in those fields. Evans commended the female drivers who obtained their licenses through the pilot and acknowledged the support of their employers in the haulage industry.
Dr. Andrew Cornish, Principal of Coleg Sir Gȃr, expressed his delight at the positive impact of Personalised Learning Accounts (PLAs) on both employees and employers. This Welsh Government initiative has facilitated the upskilling and retraining of numerous employees across the region, spanning various sectors.
Dr. Cornish specifically highlighted the institution’s pride in the work accomplished with women, particularly in providing HGV training to empower them to join the expanding logistics sector.
Personal Learning Accounts cater to individuals earning less than £29,534 per year and support their skill acquisition, enhancing their access to higher-skilled job opportunities. These accounts enable individuals to pursue fully funded, flexible courses while accommodating their existing responsibilities. Funding is strategically allocated to address labour shortages and skills gaps in priority sectors, including health and social care, logistics, green construction, and renewable energy.
The HGV course at Coleg Sir Gȃr was part of a series of Welsh Government pilots exploring how gender budgeting could facilitate increased participation of men or women in industries where gender-based barriers exist, whether perceived or actual. Gender budgeting involves actively assessing the impacts of expenditure on gender equality, in line with the Welsh Government’s commitment to being a feminist government.