Now the IoTA and IRTE get together
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THE Institute of Road Transport Engineers is considering the possibility of a joint examination scheme with the Institute of Traffic Administration. This continues the trend toward cooperation between the professional road transport bodies marked by the announcement that the Chartered Institute of Transport is to allow exemption from certain of its papers to IoTA members (CM May 10).
Although at first sight there seems , to be little in common between the aims of the IRTE and the IoTA, there has been a decided shift in attitudes over the past five years. The IRTE has been predominantly concerned with the training and status of fleet engineers in road transport while the IoTA has members from all transport modes concentrating on operation and general management.
For some time, however, the IRTE has been working toward the preparation of fleet engineers for senior posts in general management and the IoTA is aware of the need for managers to have some engineering and technical knowledge. It has, therefore, been seeking some way in which to incorporate these subjects into its syllabus. This has provided a common ground on which the two Institutes can cooperate in providing joint courses and examination subjects.
There are still some difficulties to be overcome. The IRTE courses are college based at present and the IoTA Courses are not although the IoTA provides national papers.
The practical advantages of co-ordinating scarce road transport educational facilities and the re-invigoration of small classes at Local Education Authority colleges are particularly important in view of the savage cuts being made in spending on further education at the present time.