New GTA in West Country
Page 25
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• Training in road transport has increased by 85 per cent in the past 12 months. This was revealed by the director-general of the Road Transport Industry Training Board, Mr Eric Tindall, in Bristol on Monday.
Mr Tindall was attending the opening of the Bristol and District Carriers Group Training Association. The new GTA, which brings the total now in operation to 94, is headed by Mr H. A. Russett. of Premier Transport Ltd, the national chairman of the RHA long-distance group.
There are 14 member companies in the Bristol group, covering 300 drivers and it is anticipated that there will be 500 drivers inside the next year.
The group members pay £9 per driver per annum to cover the cost of training. For those outside the group who require training there is a maximum fee of £50 per week. Mr A. Donaldson, the group driving instructor, was formerly with Bulwark Transport Ltd and the training officer, Mr R. J. Court, was formerly the training officer of H. P. Bulmer Ltd, of Hereford.
The Association is offering three types of training—conversion from car to light commercial takes two weeks; light commercial to class 3, one week; and class 3 to class 1 one week. Initially there will only be one rigid vehicle at the training centre but this will be supplemented by the introduction of an artic very soon. In the meantime, however, members wishing drivers to be trained on an artic are required to provide their own vehicle.
The group's secretary is Mr K. A. Sillick, of Wilkinson's Transport, and the treasurer is Mr A. D. Lennard, of S. Fry and Sons. Training premises are rented from James Express Carriers in Midland Road and the training ground is part of the National Car Park directly opposite the office block. According to Mr Russett, although the Association is prepared to cater for people outside its scope, it is unlikely that there will be any course vacancies for some considerable time.