Written question WQ83622

Driver training, testing and vocational licencing is not devolved to Wales in the same way as DVLA and DVSA are not devolved organisations, so the Welsh Government’s ability to intervene in this area is limited. However, following discussions with both organisations, we understand that measures have been put in place to deal with the backlog caused by pandemic restrictions.

Officials have had discussions with Business Wales, the Department for Work and Pensions and bus industry trade associations in order to identify a way forward through partnership working in which direct action can be made available and taken to support the bus industry. Two initial pilot initiatives will now take place specifically looking at driver recruitment and existing barriers to entry, attracting the right skills, and overall long term staff retention.

Officials are working with Careers Wales to further develop their on-line jobs page outlining the role of a bus driver, career opportunities within bus industry etc. This includes working closely with bus industry to offer attendance at all Working Wales recruitment fairs etc. encouraging bus operators to get involved so they can advertise their vacancies more effectively.

Officials are developing a bus driver recruitment campaign around getting people into the bus industry. This includes production of a bus driver promotion communications toolkit for recruitment fairs. This will include a selection of case studies of bus drivers promoting working for the industry etc.

Officials are looking at using existing funding streams such as ReAct. This will include encouraging unemployed drivers who have previously left the industry to return to it. Measures include funding ‘refresher’ training and other complementary courses to ensure that individuals can gain the skills and qualifications sought by employers in the sector.

We will continue to work closely with local authorities and the wider bus industry around the issues of driver shortages.