Speaking at the Skills for Logistics (SfL) and Freight Transport Association Women in Transport conference last week Heidi Boateng, women and work project manager for SfL, said the organisation has £1m in government funding to help develop women's careers in road transport. But she admitted there had been a slow uptake.
Boateng told delegates: "The programme is looking at areas where women are under-represented across the industry and aims to improve women's career progression." SfL has funds to train 575 women driver to Cat C licence and NVQ 2 level, and to develop 500 women's skills as warehouse workers. Employer contributions will be minimal. Boateng said: "At the moment we are in danger of losing this money. We have to use it by March otherwise we will lose it."
However, if the funding is used then more government money could become available from next year. "Maybe operators have put it to the bottom of the pile to deal with later, but we need to use this funding now or lose it," she concluded. Anyone interested in using these funds should contact Boateng on: 0780 9451000 or e-mail: heidi.boateng@skillsforlogistics.org
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