The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has welcomed the UK government’s decision to approve the Trailblazer Apprenticeship scheme for drivers of heavy goods vehicles. The move was announced by Minister for Skills Nick Boles.

FTA Skills Development manager Sally Gilson said: "FTA has been stressing to government the importance of the HGV Driver Apprenticeship for a long time now, particularly in light of the 'Apprenticeship Levy', so we are pleased that this standard has now finally been approved."

The association said that without the option of vocational funding for apprenticeships, the logistics industry will be left bereft of funding options for driver training, reported Lloyd's Loading List.

"We do now require the Minister to confirm that within the new Trailblazer Apprenticeship the full cost of the licence acquisition will be funded so that businesses can make full use of the apprenticeship," Ms Gilson said.

According to the FTA, whose members operate 220,000 goods vehicles, the freight and logistics industry is desperate to engage with young people because the average age of a UK professional lorry driver is 48.