Can't Claim Benefits - Any Grants?

Duzzee

Hi
I was hoping someone would know if there are any sources of funding for training costs for LGV (HGV) training. I am currently unemployed, and have been since August 2006 when I worked for six weeks only. Prior to that I was again unemployed back to September 2005. As I was previously self-employed as a driving instructor, I receive no benefits whatsoever (unless you count the child Tax credit and my wifes working tax credit), I cannot claim contibution based JSA as I had not paid the right sort of NI (as self-employed I was paying far more that when I was employed but get no benefits from it whatsoever - SCADALOUS) and because my wife works full time I cannot get income based JSA.
I want to train to do my LGV, apparently there is a shortage of Class 1 drivers! It looks as though current costs would be around £2,500 or so. Having just remortgaged based on my wife's income alone we are currently as close to bankruptcy as we wish to get, so a CDL is out of the question.
HELP

Duzzee

can anyone help?

iwanttosave_2

Its only been 5 mins, please be patient.

Welcome to MSE

tomstickland

I've heard of employers paying for HGV training upfront which you then pay back over the next year or so. I heard about it from a poster on another forum, so I've no idea about the details.

xlt_hunter

Fair do's if it may cost you £2500 - but I got my Class 2 paid for as I was 23 at the time so got paid by the EU skills council. That would have been £850, Class 1 I did with the same instructor but private again £850. So just shy of £1700 for complete training. What you also need to pay out for is the medical and theroy as well Providing that you don't fail your test. You can't go into class 1 direct no more, so you will have to do the rigids first and then artics.

And this "shortage" - yes, maybe so, but its a load of twaddle, even the agengies are now not recuiting new drivers - I have been out of a job since Mid Dec and I have class C and C+E and no one is touching anyone without the 2 years experience. Jan to Mar is the worse time to be out of work in the HGV sector (I know and going though it now!). so it will be a great struggle on wages like £5.50 per hour for the first 2 years.

What you will also find that the cowboys will want you to run bent (until your clubed up on the law) so be careful and make sure you know the Working Time Div and Tacho Regs.

Where abouts are you? as Grimsby Job Center offers something on the New Deal package (I think they pay for HGV training) I would go back to the Job Center and find out.

Good Luck