One of the county's biggest infrastructure services companies has launched the construction industry's first large goods vehicle (LGV) driver apprenticeship programmes.

Sevenoaks-headquartered firm FM Conway hopes it will help tackle one of the industry's major skills gap.

It is aimed at addressing the shortfall of LGV drivers in the UK, which is currently estimated to stand at 45,000 by the Road Haulage Association.

The 13-month apprenticeship – which the business is funding through the government apprenticeship levy – will aim to support new entrants into the industry as well as provide existing employees the opportunity to upskill or re-train.

It will be delivered in partnership with Scania and South Essex College and see around 36 apprentices per year learn the functional skills required to drive an LGV, alongside a comprehensive overview of health and safety protocols, sustainable and economical driving and vehicle specifications.

Liz Garvey, HR director at FM Conway, said: “The skills shortage remains a well-documented, serious challenge for construction. It affects all levels of our business, both on and off site. We need to be flexible in how we tackle the issue, providing a variety of opportunities for people of all backgrounds and ages and using funding mechanisms astutely to plug the gaps.

“The shortage of LGV drivers has the potential to seriously hamper the wider industry’s ability to get materials and equipment to site. With just two per cent of drivers under the age of 25, it’s clear that the sector’s current recruitment process isn’t working. With this new apprenticeship standard, we want to attract people who might never have considered a career in construction before or been aware of the diversity of roles it can offer."