£400k skills cash for decarbonising HDVs

Transport Scotland has announced a £400,000 skills fund to prepare workforces for the switch to zero emission heavy duty vehicles (HDVs).

The Zero Emissions HDV Skills Challenge Fund will provide one year of support to help educate staff on how to run HDV fleets and the charging infrastructure required for their use.

Whilst the total funding available is £400,000, Transport Scotland has said that individual awards are not expected to exceed £100,000.

To qualify for funding, applicants must be developing projects that meet at least one of the following objectives:

• Sharing knowledge on training and career opportunities in the HDV sector
• Supporting greater diversity in the HDV sector workforce
• Generating private sector investment in skills development.

Cabinet secretary for transport Fiona Hyslop said: ‘The transition to net zero will lead to a change in the type of jobs within the transport sector, so it’s essential we help workers access the skills they need to adapt to and support that change.

‘The Zero Emission Heavy Duty Vehicles Skills Challenge Fund is being launched to support organisations in addressing the key challenges for the sector – covering issues such as access to training, increasing diversity and encouraging private investment in skills.'

All applications must be submitted by 12pm 9 July 2025 and all activities or projects supported by the fund must be completed by 31 March 2026. Details on how to apply can be found here.

Image credit: Shutterstock @Virrage Images