To ask the Minister for the Economy whether she will consider launching a scheme whereby her Department works with sponsor companies to support trainee HGV drivers through their vocational qualifications, similar to that successfully rolled out by Belfast City Council.

The Department has a wide range of provision available to meet the current and future skills needs of employers. This includes the successful Assured Skills academies, Skills Focus and InnovateUS, delivered through the Further Education colleges. Financial support is also available through Invest NI to meet companies’ skills requirements where they meet the necessary criteria.

Neither my Department, nor Invest NI, currently have any plans to cover the cost of mandatory training, such as HGV licensing.