I read in your account of the BAOD National Conference
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(CM,' November 17) that Jerry Parker of South Yorkshire ODA .complained about lack of places and courses to teach the skills necessary to pass the CPC examination. I wonder if Mr Parker and any others who feel the same way have paused to consider why those places and courses are not available?
The answer is a simple one. For years the transport industry in general and road haulage in particular has shown a distinct lack of interest in education and training, other than in technical matters. Since its inception the RTITB has done a lot to improve the situation, but many resent paying the levy and do not take advantage of the facilities offered.
CM has been in the forefront in drawing attention to the qualifications available through the examinations of the Chartered Institute of Transport, the Institute of Traffic Administration, the .Institute of Road Transport Engineers and the Institute of Furniture and Removal Industry, any of which would give exemption from the CPC examination. But how many in this great industry, sought to take advantage of these courses which would have.given them a much greater depth of knowledge and the ability to understand and use skills and techniques far beyond those necessary to pass the CPC examination? Very few!
Throughout the country, the local centres of the professional bodies, in co-operation with technical college, have strugg led to get courses started, but have failed due to lack of enrolments. More tragically, they have often seen established courses forced to close for the same reason.
How many colleges have specialised transport lecturers? Again, the answer is very few. Colleges cannot afford to employ specialists to meet a demand which does not exist, 'and few lecturers are prepared to specialise in an area of education and training in which there are only limited opportunities to utilise their expertise..
What is the remedy? In the long run, increased professionalism in the industry will only be achieved by the industry as a whole supporting the efforts of those who seek to develop transport education. In the short run, with the CPC in mind, individuals or groups of individuals having difficulty obtaining courses might consider contacting the local centres of the professional bodies for help.
D. S. BENSON, Education Officer, Essex & North Kent Centre, The institute of Traffic Administration.