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TOO LATE TO LOCK UP
Page 9
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Barry Proctor warns that the Training Directive, like the Working Time Directive before it, is being ignored until it's too late — and he predicts that veteran drivers won't take kindly to compulsory classroom training.
When the Working Time Directive was being plotted in the corridors of power in Brussels there was little complaint from the majority of the industry. Sure, both trade associations were in there fighting our corner, but a few years ago mention the phrase VVID and you'd be greeted by blank looks from most people. Now of course everyone is asking why nothing was done to halt this and generally trying to slam the stable door shut long after the horse has disappeared over the hills.
I think the same thing is going to happen with another piece of EU legislation. This time it's the Training Directive that's due to come into force in 2009 and has been forgotten about by much of the industry.
However, just as with the VVTD it will almost certainly sneak up on most people and they will be left asking why they weren' told. This Directive will mean a fundamental shift in the way drivers are trained in this country as we move closer to the Continental model of classroom-based vocational learning.
I see this causing the industry to haemorrhage yet more experienced staff. After all if you're a driver in the twilight of your career and are suddenly presented with a demand that you spend five days in a classroom just to renew your licence, you might well just think 'sod it' and head off into retirement.
There are arguments in favour of a more formalised system of training —this is the system used in Germany and over there drivers are treated with a great deal of respect by the public, as opposed to being social outcasts as they are here. But while I can see that a new system of training might help overcome this prejudice I'm not convinced that it's what we need. At the end of the day they are drivers, not students and it's a mistake to attempt to force these square pegs into round holes.
Barry Proctor owns Barry Proctor Services, which is based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire.