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'Pass Plus/ for HGV drivers
Page 12
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New HGV drivers want experience: Skills for Logistics aims to provide it.
Guy Sheppard reports.
A TRAINING scheme is being introduced to give rookie truck drivers a taste of what driving in real-world conditions involves before they start applying for jobs.
The Experience Booster scheme is designed to bridge the gap between gaining an HGV licence and reaching the level of competence expected by employers.
It has been devised by Skills for Logistics, the industry's Sector Skills Council, which is trying to boost productivity. The scheme consists of nine units covering such topics as customer care, health and safety, industry knowledge and driving in a fuel-efficient manner.
Dr Mick Jackson, the council's director of skills development, says many units can be completed before starting an HGV driving course and may involve work placements. "They will sec what it's like being stuck in traffic on the M6, or getting up at 4.30am, so hopefully it will reduce the dropout rate later on," he says. "By the time the drivers do get into work, they will have that bit more experience under their belts."
The Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving Programme unit is taken immediately after passing the test and is intended to stop bad driving habits creeping in.Where possible, this will be carried out with laden vehicles. Experience Booster is being piloted by hundreds of exMG Rover workers in the West Midlands who are training to be drivers. Jackson expects the scheme to go nationwide in autumn through a network of training providers.
"People can 'pick and mix' from the nine different modules," he explains adding that funding is likely to come from government agencies such as Job Centre Plus and the Learning and Skills Councils.
Gary Hawkins, MD of AE Hawkins Haulage near Dudley in the Black Country, provides training facilities for drivers, including some from Poland (CM 16 June).
He says: -The biggest problem with our driving test programme is that it doesn't give experience of driving a loaded vehicle. Something like this would be great for newly qualified drivers."