MONDAY
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The centre is open for business from 8am but I am usually there 45 minutes earlier to make sure everything is ready for staff and candidates. This week I'm instructing on two fronts: pre-test HGV training and forklift training. During a break in the forklift course I have a quick chat with Irene, my business partner and wife-to-be. about some new training directives for the CPC. At first glance we can see that from October it will be a more involved course and test than at present. Back to my course to listen to one of our Spanish candidates who has some questions. I have a working lunch break with Les Wheeler, our business marketing manager, and we can see that companies are booking a lot of HGV Category C courses for the first quarter of the year. After finishing day one of the forklift course, I phone for prices on some new tyres for one of the HGVs. Nicky, our admin assistant, has a query on the new CPC directive and informs the caller of the changes. They are not met with open arms!
TUESDAY
A busy day ahead as two candidates are taking their practical HGV test and two their theory papers. The rain appears to make the HGV test candidates apprehensive but they're on a two-hour pretest so hopefully those nerves will subside and they will get that allimportant pass. It's day two on the forklift training course and all is well so far. One of the HGV instructors rings in to report a minor mechanical fault—luckily ifs not on a practical test but we'll have to use one of the standby Volvos. Have a quick look at the faults over lunch and send the vehicle straight down to the local dealer. Back to the warehouse to continue the forklift course. The first of our HGV theory test candidates phones in and has achieved a pass mark so now Irene will book him in for the practical driving course. He is the first of seven to pass the theory this week. Help prepare the classroom for a three-day ADR refresher course for tomorrow.
WEDNESDAY
Quick staff meeting to note any problems and answer queries, I'm on forklift tests today and there are three HGV candidates taking their practical tests. Lunch is interrupted by a call from one of the HGV instructors who's on test and it's not good news. Despite continually reminding candidates about taking the correct identity papers on test, his candidate has lost his licence even though he checked it was in his pocket before leaving. This means a test cancellation, lost fee, and his employer won't be too happy. The poor chap is quite upset. Finish my forklift tests in the afternoon and we're pleased to hear our candidate from Spain has passed.
411.‘44004 THURSDAY
On NOV tests today and it's very foggy which is worrying because tests can be cancelled due to bad weather. Irene tells me our theory tests for February are almost fully booked which will mean more courses and possibly an additional vehicle. The test eventually goes ahead. He doesn't pass— he crossed a lane on a roundabout and is he mad with himself. The day finishes on a better note with two candidates passing their tests.
FRIDAY
The ADR refresher test day is held up by a couple of late arrivals. Sort out paperwork and exercise documents for Saturday's theory training course. Irene tells me of a candidate who has pulled out of his HGV test this afternoon. Nerves are a problem as they can wreck one's ability to drive. Just about time to get out the soap and water to give those trucks to be used on tests this afternoon a quick once over.