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Helping heavy goods vehicle, coach and bus operators ensure their drivers meet driver industry standards

For any business operating heavy goods vehicles, coaches and buses to grow and become more efficient there is a need to ensure that each driver undertakes a course of Continuous Professional Competence (CPC). It is important that the drivers continuously maintain and develop the knowledge and skills to keep up with industry standards.

Roadwise Driver Training has partnered with CPC accredited training provider to deliver a range of CPC training courses. Trainer will lead a team of instructors delivering the courses in and around the Aberdeen area.

In the following paragraphs Ian gives answers to many common questions raised in relation to driver CPC.

Why was Driver CPC introduced to the market?

The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) is a qualification for professional bus, coach and lorry drivers. It was introduced to provide a framework for all drivers and employers to follow in order to improve the safety of not only the driver, but all road users.

What are the implications for the company failing to put their drivers through the CPC?

Imagine the company not ensuring drivers remain compliant with attending CPC, once the deadline or expiry date approaches, there may well be several drivers who have no current CPC qualifications and therefore not able to legally drive. This could cause companies huge problems with a shortage of drivers. It also has been known for companies who have a very lax control of drivers completing CPC training to face disciplinary action from authorities.

Also, it is illegal to drive professionally if a driver hasn’t completed training by the deadline for renewal. Driving without a Driver Qualification Card (DQC), or failing to produce it, carries a maximum fine of £1,000 for both the driver and the operator licence holder. 

How often  must drivers undertake the training?

CPC training is based on 35 hours of training every 5 years, so 5 days of 7 hours duration are required. Courses can be done by attending 5 continuous days in one week. However, the best practice for drivers and employers is to undertake a one-day course every year to spread out the training.  The onus is on the driver to ensure he/she attends the CPC training and ensure 35 hours is completed in each 5 year block.

How did you get involved in this training? How has the industry changed since then?

I was a driver for just under 24 years and towards the end of my driving career I was doing the CPC in various venues around Scotland, which was an experience which sadly some drivers still get – a bad one. No interaction from the trainer, no emphasis on learning outcomes, just a bland presentation which was difficult to stay awake for.  It was poor quality delivery which encouraged me to look into providing CPC myself in a better way. I have now been delivering CPC training successfully for 5 years

What are the views of the business owners, operators towards this training? Are there still a lot of people thinking that it’s going away?

Unfortunately, there are a few drivers and employers who tend to leave the training until the last minute due to the belief that CPC will cease to exist and see it as a waste of time.  However, the training will not cease and leaving it to the last minute could cause a few problems when CPC courses are full and drivers not able to attend courses to update their CPC in time for the expiry of the current CPC.  However, most companies and drivers do take the view that it is better to complete the training in good time and ensure drivers attend on a regular basis.

How do drivers’ views change during the training?

A very large percentage of drivers attending CPC training courses arrive with a negative view and are particularly despondent about having to be there.  After a short time, however, it becomes apparent to most that CPC training does not need to be boring, a waste of time and nothing to learn, but informative, fun and a good range of knowledge gained. I have had a lot of drivers come to do their CPC with the opinion that they cannot learn anything, but by the end of the course they realise that there is a lot more to it than they thought and go away with more knowledge.

What common mistakes do businesses make when arranging for a driver’s CPC?

The common mistakes businesses make are not allowing the allocated time for drivers to attend courses and not arranging their CPC in time before their current CPC expires.  There are some businesses out there (not many) that refuse to have anything to do with their drivers’ CPC.

What would you suggest to businesses to look for in a CPC provider?

First thing businesses should look for is whether the training provider is registered with JAUPT (Joint Approvals Unit for Periodic Training) either as an individual training company or as a member of consortium.

How should companies prepare for the CPC training in advance to get the maximum benefit?

Arrange with a training provider to set up a 5 year diary which allows companies, drivers and trainers to schedule a single day’s training during each year over a 5 year period.  This is by far the best idea for companies as it spreads out the training over each year.  The alternative, which happens a lot, is to leave it too late then try to find spaces on courses for all their drivers.

Training remains an important part of any business strategy, helping improve drivers’ competences and skills to enable sustainable business growth.  By collaborating with a professional and long-standing driver training company such as Roadwise we will aim to provide flexible availability and engaging content for driver CPC training in and around the Aberdeen area. We are starting with the CPC modules that drivers find the most engaging and valuable for their profession. To find out more about dates and modules on offer please check this link   https://bit.ly/2HUvljh 

Many thanks for the interview Ian.

For more information about our CPC course please get in touch: 08000 151 642, info@roadwisedrivertraining.co.uk

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