With the help of European funds, the General Directorate of Training of the Community of Madrid has announced the launch of a voucher programme that would help locals get an HGV or a bus driving license and so the local government could tackle unemployment and driver shortage.
The area is reportedly missing more than 20,000 professional drivers due to the increasing demand for transportation services and the ageing demography of drivers.
The Community of Madrid estimates that this measure will benefit more than 2,800 people between 2023 and 2025, allowing the sector’s needs to be met.
These subsidies will be available to unemployed individuals registered in the employment offices of the Community of Madrid or workers employed in a workplace located in the Community of Madrid, who also hold a Class B license (car) and meet the minimum age requirements for each of the licenses that are subsidised.
Each beneficiary will receive a training voucher of €600 that can be used for professional HGV or bus driving training in authorised centres.
The training voucher will cover enrollment fees, didactic material, 20 hours of theoretical training, and 10 half-hour classes of manoeuvres and/or circulation.
These training vouchers can be redeemed in those accredited centres in the Community of Madrid that have signed a collaboration agreement with the Department of Economy, Finance, and Employment.