The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has welcomed the launch of a new and improved funding package to attract more apprentices into the logistics and transport sectors in the years ahead.

Coming into effect from April next year, the government has confirmed a new investment programme will help to support individuals as they train to become professional drivers and take on other essential roles within the transport sector in the UK.

For LGV operators, a new base fund of £5,000 (including licence acquisition) per apprentice will be made available, while there will be no call for matched investment from companies that have fewer than 50 employees.

Meanwhile, logistics support positions (such as traffic management and supply chain managers) will receive apprenticeship funding of up to £3,000.

RHA policy director Jack Semple said: "The RHA has been arguing for quality-based funding that will drive up levels of recruitment from within the UK and quality of skills training and that is what the Department for Education has now proposed."

He added that the decision has created "real excitement" within the UK haulage sector and the RHA will be actively working to support these new measures and to create more opportunities to bring in more young people to the profession in the years ahead.