Posted: 30/11/12
Training academies will keep drivers legal
Drivers of goods and passenger-carrying vehicles risk breaking the law and receiving heavy fines – unless they hold a certificate of competency.
By September 2013 anyone driving a commercial passenger-carrying vehicle must undertake 35 hours of training; with drivers of large goods vehicles having until September 2014.
The legislation – designed to improve the safety and enhance the skills and knowledge of professional drivers – has prompted West Nottinghamshire College to create two new training academies in partnership with Maurice Hill Transport Limited and Nottingham City Transport (NCT).
The Maurice Hill Logistics Training Academy and Nottinghamshire Transport Training Academy have been set up in response to the legislative requirement of the Driver CPC (Certificate of Personal Competence).
This certificate must be held by anyone who drives a goods vehicle of 7.5 tonnes and over, or a passenger vehicle with more than eight seats.
Drivers can complete the training at Maurice Hill’s headquarters on Wolsey Drive or at the college’s Construction and Logistics Skills Academy on Julia’s Way, both Kirkby-in-Ashfield; or at NCT’s Lower Parliament Street premises or Trent Bridge Garage, Bunbury Street, both Nottingham.
Training is available seven days a week to allow professional drivers to work towards their certificate without having to take time off work.
In addition, the Maurice Hill Logistics Training Academy will be offering a range of vocational apprenticeships in transport and logistics, along with mechanical handling equipment training such as fork-lift truck and cherry-picker qualifications.
Craig Done, the college’s logistics business development manager, said: “This legislation is a ticking time bomb for existing drivers of passenger-carrying and goods vehicles so we urge those that haven’t completed the mandatory 35 hours of training to register as soon as possible.
“Failure to complete the training before the respective deadlines means drivers will be operating illegally – and with fines as high as £1,000, it pays to be prepared.
“We’re delighted to be partnering with these long-established transport operators to provide this specialist training for new and existing drivers.”
Director at Maurice Hill Transport, Tracey Davenport, said: “Our academy will meet the training requirements of the transport and logistics sector in a way that’s responsive and sympathetic to the needs of drivers.”
“We’re looking forward to developing a comprehensive range of training courses in conjunction with the college and become a ‘one-stop shop’ for transport training in the area,” she added.
NCT’s training and development manager, Mike Lee, said: “West Nottinghamshire College and NCT represent a partnership of two organisations which operate at the highest levels of quality in their respective fields.
“The Driver CPC qualification aims to improve standards of driving, safety, customer service and professionalism in the sector, so we’re both exceptionally well-placed to deliver outstanding training to help businesses achieve these goals.
“I’m delighted we’ll be working together to bring that quality to training provision in the transport sector.”
Companies interested in registering on the training academies’ CPC programmes should contact Craig Done on 07989 315917 or at email craig.done@wnc.ac.uk
Individual drivers can contact Louise Purseglove at Maurice Hill Transport on 01623 721200 or at email mhtrainingacademy@gmail.com or Trish Dyson on 01623 413317 or at email Trish.dyson@wnc.ac.uk
