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Adam Purshall TM Logistics Martley, Worcestershire With around 400 people
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and 150 vehicles, the Driver CPC represents a significant challenge for TM Logistics. The company has been investigating how best to tailor the Driver CPC requirements to its own needs.
The target is to have something in place for the last quarter of this year, by which time the new regulations will have kicked in.
"We have been looking into how we are going to go about it," says Purshall. "We've got some costings together and are looking at ways of funding it.
"But we've not made a decision yet on whether its going to be done in-house or externally. We want to be sure we design the course around our business needs before we get it approved."
Purshall adds the company strives to keep drivers informed and insists they have shown significant interest in the subject and how it will affect them.
Martin Barnes Project Manager Operational Logistics Navarm Somemet Barnes is sceptical about the way the Driver CPC is being implemented, and feels an opportunity to put the job on the same level as airline pilots has been lost.
He fears the option for firms to adapt training to suit their needs has undermined the initiative.
"Companies are allowed to tackle what's applicable to them, set up their own training packages and get them approved. So rather than have a scheme that makes a driver's job professional in a similar way to a pilot's, it's just a mish-mash.
"I understand why some people think it's needed, but it could have been done a lot better. It's OK as a benchmark for the industry, but I've met a lot of older drivers who are asking why they have to 'go back to school' again?"
Barnes believes many smaller firms will also struggle to fit in the training — even though it equates to an average of no more than seven hours a year per driver.
"It doesn't look a lot, but unless you're a big company with a training structure already in place, it's very difficult to fund training and have a vehicle off the road while a driver is away studying."
Charles Burke TRS Engineering Ltd Rhonda Valley "Completely unnecessary" is Burke's verdict on the Driver CPC. As well as placing a big financial burden on those wanting to enter the industry, it might actually serve little useful purpose when it comes to doing the job. Burke says: "Ifs an unnecessary burden on an already struggling industry. For someone wanting to enter road transport, it's also a huge burden unless they can find a sponsor."
As an owner-driver himself, Burke rs seriously considerng not doing the Driver CPC, because is not worth the hassle. Truck dealing is the core of his business, but he does run a delivery service which requires him to hold an HGV Class One.
1 could live without that work. There's not enough of It to justify the training involved.
"Initially I said I would do it, but I am beginning to think that maybe I won't."
Ed Pargeter Director, EP Training Leatherhead, Surrey For training specialist Pargeter, the Driver CPC represents a potential new business opportunity The firm has already set up five different courses designed to help drivers meet their training requirements, all of which have been approved for use. They will be running from September.
It is also offering 'training the trainer' packages, for those companies that want to handle it in-house but need to get their own instructors trained first.
"We've designed them so that they can be done in three-and-a-half-hour blocks, like a pick and mix,' says Pargeter.
"So if a customer wants to combine manual handling with vehicle safety checks, we can be quite flexible.
"It's also very good news that ADR training has been approved as part of the CPC!"
Pargeter says he has got over some of his initial reservations about the Driver CPC. But there remains one major flaw it does not set out core subjects that must be studied.
"That means a driver can do the same course five limes and still meet the requirements," he says. "They could simply do the same one every year."