Exam time
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NINETY-ONE delegates completed Certificate of Professional Competence simulated examination papers at the conference, and the results were announced by ALAN KEVAN. Only four delegates (41/2 per cent) passed.
Delegates were not asked to put their names on the papers but one man had the strength of character to do so," quipped Alan, -and he passed . . . ."
The message from the exercise, he said, was that experienced transport men won't succeed in passing the exam just by sitting for it; they must study.
Earlier in the conference, when Alan and Len Harper presented papers on the CPC, Alan had warned delegates. "The CPC exam is a memory test; before long, threequarters of the knowledge goes out of the window."
Sending someone on a CPC course, he suggested, is not an easy way to send someone (.11) the promotion ladder. A manager can look up transport law, he said, but he needs experience when, say, drivers are arguing about schedules. -The CPC won't help you then,he added.
Alan pointed out that we — the UK — did not design the syllabus; that came from a Brussels Directive. Any attempt to change it would be a long process involving discussions with all members of the EEC. -Remember the difficulties with fishing and so on," he said.
Len Harper, in his paper (CM last week) argued in favour of the CPC and at the conference recalled the roundel: "Down in the yard with an obsolete van, Stands the transport manager, carrying the can."
"Fortunately, things are changing now,said Len.
After the four-and-a-half per cent pass mark had been announced at the conference, Len joined Alan in pointing out the study required, and reminded delegates of the training facilities provided at a cheap rate by the FTA, RHA and GTAs. Those with grandfather. rights, he suggested, Would do themselves no harm by taking a refresher course.
The conference was amused — and interested — by the humorous but penetrating remarks from Alan and Len and by Raymond Baxter.
Delegates were even more amused by one of their number, who perhaPs with modesty did not give his name, but never
theless proved that one answer given by the -examiners" is wrong. "For question number
21 a 20 per cent work-up is not a 20 per cent gross profit,'" he declared.
R. D. Hutchings, North Western LA, added to the fun by "requesting" the names of those with grandfather rights in his area who had neverthe failed . .
John Wells, from the fl clashed with Peter Land, said he was frankly not prised at the low pass rate or basis that men at the top cal know everything. -You d keep a dog and bark yoursi John Wells said pressure I the top, from men who d know transport law, can lea employees breaking the Peter Land later added that smaller firms, say with 25 ries, then he was very clos his opinions to those of j Wells.
David Foden, while ag ing with Peter Land that men cannot know everytl about transport, also said John Wells has a good p about pressure leading to being broken.