NMD Transport Academy Is Now Open

Want To be a driver ? Look at the NMD Transport Academy for training

There will be a Transport Academy delivered through Newry Mourne and Down District Council Labour Market Partnership in 2026/27, with the following timeline:

• Promotion/Recruitment: Open 20^th July 2026
• Information Session: Wednesday 19th August 2026
• Training to start: Early September 2026

Transport Employment Academy

The Transport Employment Academy provides all the required training and testing to enable participants to acquire a Category C (Class 2) or Category C+E (Class 1) or PCV license to enable them to begin a career as a professional driver.

The academy works with employers to ensure that participants are offered an interview for an appropriate role when they successfully acquire their licence.

Selection Process

Places are limited and to progress to the selection process, potential candidates must:

• reside within the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Area

• be unemployed, under-employed (typically working less than 16 hours) or at risk of redundancy at the time of application

• hold a full, clean, current UK Driving Licence – candidates must have held a full UK Driving Licence for at least 2 years. Both the plastic card and paper counterpart will be required to obtain the necessary provisional entitlement to commence training

• be willing and able to undertake a medical exam

• Be committed and available to complete all required aspects of the Academy including appointments for medicals, theory test classes, lessons, tests and interviews

• be committed to taking up appropriate employment within the Transport sector

• be willing to undertake an Access NI Check relevant for a Bus Driving position only To address the gender imbalance within the transport sector we particularly welcome applications from women. The delivery agent for this academy is Workforce Training Services. If you are interested in finding out more, please email: [email protected]

Call For Employers

Local businesses are encouraged to get involved with this exciting opportunity to upskill and grow your workforce. We are keen to hear from Newry, Mourne and Down employers who anticipate recruiting Category C (Class 2) or Category C+E (Class 1) or PCV licence drivers this year and wish to work with us to help address their recruitment needs.

Employer Benefits

• ✓  Access to a pool of trained participants with the right training and skills from the outset, developed through fully funded training

• ✓  A chance to highlight your business, the type of work you do and the job vacancies you may have, either now or in the future

• ✓ Reduce the time input by your business of recruiting new skilled employees

• ✓  An opportunity to work with like-minded businesses together to contribute to skills shortages within your industry sector and organisation.

Contact Us For more information, or to register your interest please contact us at [email protected]

To check eligibility and apply to the Transport Academy, please email the following details to  [email protected]

• Full Name
• Contact Number
• Post Code.