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RHA & FTA form Training Alliance
The Road Haulage Association and the Freight Transport Association, are joining forces to deliver driver CPC training to the UK road transport industry.
Both Associations have agreed that the best way to deliver the compulsory periodic training required by all Cat C1, C and C+E and PCV driving licence holders is to take a unified pragmatic approach.
The unprecedented move combines two of the largest industry training organisations.
"This is not the first time the main trade associations have worked together to support the industry through difficult times," said RHA Chief Executive Roger King
"Last time it was the Burns Inquiry, in response to the abandonment of the LRUC and to get government to finally realise the importance of the road transport and logistics industry to UK plc.
"Under the EU Training Directive we face the biggest legislative impact on our industry workforce for 40 years; the LGV driver’s Certificate of Professional Competence. In discussions with the FTA we felt that a unified approach to training provision would combine the knowledge and experience of two of the largest training organisations in the industry, and would be the best way we could help the industry through more challenging times. It will also allow us to offer a common range of products and ensure consistency in delivery, quality and cost for those with operations across a wide geographical spread."
"Training is costly but is not just about ticking boxes to comply with the law," said FTA Chief Executive Richard Turner. "It is about delivering real value for the performance of the business. The Driver Training Directive is one of the biggest challenges facing the transport industry because of the requirement to deliver training in a universal way. That is why FTA and RHA have come together to establish standard training products and services which will be universally recognised and valued throughout the industry.
"Efficient training delivers quality performance for customers, environmental progress and bottom-line profits."
The training alliance will develop and provide training materials covering the syllabus as defined in the Directive, a train the trainer service and direct training using RHA/FTA instructors. The courses will also be available to be purchased for delivery by other training providers.
In terms of timescale and delivery the training alliance's aim is to be able to deliver accredited driver CPC training to the passenger transport industry from September 2008 and for LGV operations by September 2009.
The RHA has also recently launched the road transport and logistics industry training and careers magazine fastFORWARD to help keep the industry informed about training requirements and provision. For more information visit www.fastforwardcareers.co.uk
