Time running out to apply for UK Brexit training grants

Robert Keen predicts more customs training will be needed

UK freight forwarders have until the end of this week to apply for government funds to train staff and make IT improvements as they prepare for increased levels of post-Brexit customs activities.

In October, the government announced it was making £16m available “for customs intermediaries, traders and hauliers that make customs declarations to help them prepare ahead of Brexit”.

Robert Keen (pictured above), director general of BIFA, the trade association for UK freight forwarding and logistics companies, warned: “Applicants only have until 17 January to register with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) – which is administering the grants for HMRC – with applications closing on 31 January (or earlier if funding is fully allocated).”

BIFA says the grants could be made to support a business that is extending and taking on new staff, or to help train an existing employee to start completing customs declarations. Training can be delivered by an external provider or an in-house trainer.

“Increased capacity in this sector will be important, whatever the nature of our future relationship with the EU,” Mr Keen added.

Details of the grants and a link to the online application page are available here