International dimension
Page 49
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THIRTY of the 32 UK trainees who successfully completed their studies as part of the Euroqualification pilot study in the road haulage and distribution industry received their certificates from Robin Chesterman OBE, Chairman of Suffolk TEC, at a ceremony in Ipswich in October.
The ceremony was jointly organised by the industry's Lead Body, the Road Haulage & Distribution Training Council (RHDTC) and training providers RTT Training Services Ltd, whose staff had trained the British students in the skills of 'driver international', 'traffic planner international' and 'transport manager international'.
The successful students — all of whom were unemployed and had no previous road haulage and distribution experience at the start of their training — received certificates to mark their international achievements. In addition, where a UK National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) exists for their new-found occupational skills, they received an NVQ certificate.
"We're delighted that the Euroqualification pilot study has been so successful," commented Barry Young, managing director of RTT Training Services Ltd. "But, perhaps more importantly, the Euroqualification project has enabled 22 of the UK's participants to get full time jobs in the road transport industry as a result of their training."
Alan Clay, RTT's training manager, added: "This illustrates how the students' training gave them the experience, confidence and ability to get full time employment. And it shows that employers value them for their skills and the experience they can offer."
Alan revealed that there are plans to run another similar Euroqualification project for 16 managers — who will, again, be recruited from among those currently unemployed. THE Euroqualification projec is a joint initiative from 1: European countries and is in tended to help the unemploya who are prepared to be mobile ir order to gain an inter-state recog nised qualification. The scheme i: based on the existing vocationa qualifications in each country, aug mented by extra skills, such as Ian guage training.
The road haulage and distributior industry's part in th( Euroqualification pilot study was tc recruit and train candidates in thre( job areas: driver international, traf fic planner international and trans port manager international. All th( candidates were unemployed at th( start of the training.
The RHDTC, being the sector': Lead Body, acted as co-ordinator fo the scheme and RTT Trainirq Services provided the training anc acted as hosts to other Europear trainees who came to the UK to gair work experience under the scheme.
The RSA Examinations Boar( awarded both the Euroqualificatior in the UK and the Nationa Vocational Qualification.