master hauliers
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months. Chairman Richard Llewellyn of Econofreight says: "Eventually we would like to see most of the RHA's 11,000 members achieving a masterhaulier badge."
The RHA has also been involved in developing formal vocational qualifications for non-supervisory haulage staff below management level, along with the RTTIB, the FTA and the National Council of Vocational Qualifications.
The first of these will be aimed at drivers. A core curriculum has already been drawn up, which includes loading, 'vehicle control and manoeuvres, customer care, map reading, basic mechanics, safety, motorway driving and drivers hours and records.
Drivers will also be expected to specialise in either livestock, tankers, international, tippers and waste, parcels, temperature-controlled or heavy haulage. The RHA's Rod Jenkins says: "To get the NCVQ qualification a driver needs to specialise in a minimum of one transport area. But as drivers gain experience and change jobs we envisage that they will collect several areas of specialisation."
Jenkins says the first driver tests may be up and running within six months and he believes this will be the first time that road-transport staff will have a clearly defined career development plan. Similar qualifications are being examined by several major transport firms including some parcel delivery giants. However, RI1A head Bryan Colley warns that the entire transport industry will have to work together if the system is to gain national recognition: "It is important, if the system is to be effective, that employers feel responsible collectively for their standards."