A new commercial driver programme is being established near Palmerston North with a $2.8 million government investment.
Regional economic development minister Shane Jones announced the scheme as part of the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF).
The programme will have the ability to train up to 700 drivers and machine operators annually at Manfeild Park.
It’s also aimed at tackling high levels of unemployment in the regions.
Funding will support the Manfeild Park Trust to expand their current Class 1 driver training programme to deliver a full suite of driver training, including truck, digger, 4WD, forklift and roller training.
It will also support capital works required to build new training facilities at the Manfeild site, including specialist training tracks.
“There is a real demand for skilled drivers and machinery operators nationally, from the major projects happening in the Manawatu-Whanganui region, including the Manawatū Gorge road project and the establishment of a new KiwiRail hub, and from the region’s expanding role as a major distribution centre for the Lower North Island,” Jones says.
“This will be the most comprehensive vehicle training facility of this type in the lower North Island.
“Through the PGF the Government is responding to local needs, by funding projects which will make a real difference to regions and their people. The National Driver Training Centre at Manfeild is another example of this,” Jones says.
Road Transport Forum chief executive Ken Shirley is welcoming the announcement.
“It is well-known that New Zealand is lacking in skilled commercial drivers. RTF has estimated that the road transport industry alone is around 4000 heavy vehicle drivers short, a situation that is duplicated in many other developed economies.
“The Government’s announcement of investment in a national commercial driver training programme is an acknowledgment of the importance of skilled commercial drivers to the economy and the employment opportunities available to those who undertake such training, especially in the regions.
“RTF and the road transport industry welcome this investment and look forward to working with the Government in other policy areas, such as immigration, to find further solutions to the current workforce shortage,” Shirley says.
