REGIONAL SUPPORT
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III Hauliers across the Liverpool area could be eligible for a range of help. Business Link can help operators: it specialises in offering firms the contact points for in-depth advice on matters such as capital expenditure and training.
Crants are occasionally available from the European Social Fund, but hauliers must fulfil strict criteria to qualify and securing the cash can be a drawn-out affair.
On March 22 St Helens College will launch an initiative to reduce the driver shortage on Merseyside. The day is directed at hauliers and transport managers who are keen to take on new drivers.
They will he reminded that car drivers who passed their test before 1997 are eligible to drive vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes. Essentially. the college is seeking to hone the van-driving skills of this group of people. The tuition is free, and the college plans to extend the initiative to train candidates for the Class 1 test in the future.