Cost of Driver CPC training set to soar in rush to 2014
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By the CM news desk
THE COST OF mandatory Driver CPC training will rocket ahead of the fast-approaching 2014 deadline, the head of Skills for Logistics (SfL), warns.
Speaking to CM, Mick Jackson, SfL chief executive, says he is leaving the enforcement message to the Department for Transport, but is more concerned that take-up of Driver CPC training is not what it should be.
Although oficial igures vary, SfL estimates that the minimum number of HGV drivers who will need to have completed their 35 hours of CPC training by 2014 is around 400,000. Jackson believes that, at current rates of uptake, the industry faces a 30% shortfall in qualiied drivers once the cut-off is reached.
“There is already a shortfall we need to make up,” he says. And when demand exceeds supply, only one thing happens: the price goes up. Basically, you are going to see the price of driver CPC shoot up from here on in,” he warns.
Novadata MD Derek Broomield says some prices are already starting to rise because everyone wants training on a Saturday.
He adds that all Novadata’s trainers are booked for every Saturday in September and October.
“It's not scaremongering, but the prices will go up for Saturdays,” he says, adding that the frustration is that demand for courses during the rest of the week remains very thin on the ground.
He does fear that come 2014, “you’ll get the cowboy CPC providers cashing in on the high demand by undercutting the reputable training irms that have been established for years”.
Sean Pargeter, sales director at EP Training Services, says he has not considered dropping the price of training.
“You are going to ind there is an increase in demand, but you will still see people touting for business and delivering it without any overheads,” he says.
“But some people will think that training companies are trying to use scare tactics and get people to do training now before the price goes up.” ● The Driver CPC requires almost all category C and D licence holders to complete 35 hours of training every ive years to maintain their Driver Qualiication Card (DQC). Those who held the relevant category of driving licence on 10 September 2009 acquired (grandfather) rights and have until September 2014 to complete their periodic training. After this date, they will no longer be able to drive without a DQC.