AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

Do you want to comment on any stories in Commercial

14th October 1999
Page 24
Page 24, 14th October 1999 — Do you want to comment on any stories in Commercial
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Motor? Does someone in the industry deserve a pat on the back, or a dressing down? Drop us a line at Commercial Motor, Room H203, Quadrant House, The Quadrant, Sutton, Surrey SM2 SAS or fax us

on 01131 652 8969. Alternatively you can e-mail us on Miles.Brignalli a rbi.co.uk.

VI TRAINING

I am writing regarding the VI and its new training scheme for full-time employees.

I am aware that the VI is sending full-time personnel from across the country on training courses to be trained as vehicle engineers.

Apparently the sole purpose of this exercise is to allow staff currently employed in testing stations to apply for vacancies as enforcement officers.

Why the VI needs to carry out this exercise is beyond comprehension. The staff who undertake this "three-year" course will, it seems, only be available for work for approximately 90 days out of the year. Is it really necessary to train vehicle testers for the role of enforcement officer?

What is the cost of this exercise, taking into account all the expenses which will be incurred over the three-year period? Furthermore, is the VI telling the industry that there are no suitable courses at local colleges, or possibly that the colleges cannot supply the level of course required in vehicle engineering ?Not even Stevenson College, which is one of the IRTE accredited centres of excellence?

What happened to the sudden shortage of staff? And the lack of funding for enforcement?

If the VI wants suitable staff it should support the local colleges and training centres and send its staff to night school. That way staff will be available for work where they are needed, ensuring the safety of road users and the public.

There is a vacancy at my local test station for a part-time examiner. How much will it cost to train this person? Is it fair to ask someone to stand in because of staff shortages and not receive holiday entitlement, a contract of employment etc?

What happens when the inspectorate people pass their course? What chance have applicants from outside the VI of finding work with this organisation? Very little I think!

Are the applicants for the post of enforcement officer totally useless? If this is the case, can the VI not work in conjunction with the IRTE and other education establishments up and down the country to provide adequate engineering courses for people who wish to upgrade for this post? Couldn't they be designed specifically for enforcement work?

This would give all applicants the chance of an interview, not just the VI staff who would be hand-picked due to their threeyear course. Incidentally, I have paid for my own training over the years with no help from any employer.

I hope this letter generates a reply from the VI about the need for this type of training. An IRTE member.

Tags

Organisations: Stevenson College, IRTE

comments powered by Disqus