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22.
November
2016.
Industry supports Driver CPC as experts suggest it will remain post-Brexit
Dear Editor
Please find below the latest press release from RTITB.
November 2016
Industry supports Driver CPC as experts suggest it will remain post-Brexit
As experts suggest that Driver CPC will remain following the UK’s forthcoming departure from the European Union, research by RTITB has shown that the majority of businesses feel positive towards Driver CPC training.
“At RTITB, we feel that it is extremely important to retain Driver CPC legislation post-Brexit, primarily because of the effects on safety and its role in staff development,” explains Laura Nelson, Managing Director of RTITB, the UK’s leading Driver CPC Consortium.
At a recent industry debate* attended by RTITB, experts suggested that the upcoming Brexit will not mean the end of EU-legislation, such as Driver CPC, in the UK, but it may be reformed. Research conducted by RTITB in October 2016 indicates that LGV/HGV sector would welcome this continuation of Driver CPC.
Driver CPC is a qualification for professional bus, coach and lorry drivers introduced across Europe to help maintain high driving standards and improve safety. Once Driver CPC qualified, drivers must complete 35 hours of training across a 5-year cycle to retain their certification.
“We strongly believe that Driver CPC has been a positive step forward for training since it was introduced for HGV drivers in 2009. According to our research the industry agrees - 70% of respondents said that it has improved driver training within their company,” says Laura.
Half of those surveyed stated that the requirement for JAUPT** approval of courses improves the quality of their company's training and an even greater amount, 58%, feel that this has improved the quality of training across the industry overall.
Of those questioned, 69% agreed that the Part 4 (practical demonstration) test within Driver CPC adds value to the driver training and testing process, with 62% in agreement that the Part 2 (case study) test also proves valuable.
In addition, the delivery of training is proving achievable for the majority of companies, with 58% stating that the rules on the duration of courses (7 hours) do not increase training complexity or cost for the company. Plus, more than two thirds of those surveyed (67%) find the current course approval process to be effective.
One area in which respondents’ opinion was split was in regards to the amount of training legally required. Although 50% are happy with the requirement for 35 hours over 5 years and feel it is about right, 42% feel it is too much. The remaining 8% would favour more training time, and feel the current requirements are not enough to ensure safety and best practice.
Opinions are also divided in regards to the balance of classroom versus practical training, with a 50/50 split in responses as to whether this needs to be reviewed.
“The review of legislation due to Brexit provides the UK with a fantastic opportunity to listen to the industry and review Driver CPC to ensure it meets the needs of both drivers and employers effectively,” says Laura.
“At RTITB, safety is our major focus, so we believe that continuing with Driver CPC post-Brexit is crucial,” says Laura. “Not only will it ensure there are safer drivers on the roads, but it will also help provide the development opportunities for drivers that will protect the future of this important profession.”
The RTITB Master Driver CPC Consortium is largest in the industry, giving members access to a vast collection of high quality training topics, as well as the opportunity to contribute to the future of Driver CPC both within the consortium, and on a national level. To assure a consistent high standard of training for LGV drivers across the UK, RTITB’s Driver Training Standard approved organisations offer LGV driver training that helps businesses gain workplace ready drivers. The Driver Standard also provides training materials for the initial Driver CPC.
Ends
616 Words
NOTES TO EDITORS
*Debate referenced is the Road Transport Brexit Debate – Coventry, 12 October 2016 - http://rtbrexitdebate.com/brexit2016/en/page/home
**JAUPT - Joint Approvals Unit for Periodic Training (UK)
RTITB’s survey was conducted via SurveyMonkey in October 2016 among members of the RTITB Master Driver CPC Consortium who deliver Driver CPC training non-commercially.
About RTITB
RTITB sets industry leading training standards specifically designed to change behaviour and make measurable improvements to efficiency, risk and safety.
As the preferred regulatory body for workplace transport training, our accreditation, audit, certification and instructor training services are reliable, robust and developed by a team dedicated to the common goal of keeping people safe.
We set training standards for goods vehicle driver licence acquisition training, driver assessment, Driver CPC Periodic Training, yardshunter training, banksman training, and all types of materials handling equipment: making us the only company able to provide absolute assurance for a full range of workplace transport training.
Our training standards are used extensively in the UK, Ireland, India and the Middle East, across a number of sectors: supply chain, freight forwarding, warehousing, road haulage distribution, oil and gas, food and drink manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, construction, cold chain, ports, and airports and public sector organisations such as councils and prisons.
Established in 1965 and with over 50 years' experience, RTITB is the regulatory body of choice for businesses committed to safety and efficiency. Since inception well over 1 million people have attended RTITB courses. Since 2014, more than 268,000 delegates have been trained to RTITB standards.
Visit www.rtitb.co.uk for further information.
If you require any further information please contact me
Hannah Patterson
+44 (0) 1903 207408
hannah@molokini.co.uk
MOLOKINI MARKETING LTD