r I I With 260 of its own trainers, Wincanton
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is well placed to meet any new compliance requirements. Rowlands says ts approach is to create comprehensive and robust training programmes that ensure the message sinks in You then back off to a sensible level of awareness training once the thing has become established."
More than three years ago, the company launched a programme to provide all its drivers with a vocational qualification to improve fuel efficiency and driver retention levels while reducing accidents.
The programme is run in parallel with the training needed to complete the Driver CPC. Rowlands says the company was able to make an early start with this thanks to its close involvement with the consultation process three years ago. "We aligned all our current training to where we thought CPC would start from." message but it stands out in different ways so that eventually it becomes part of the furniture."
Discipline is used as a last resort, he says, and may involve remedial training. Although done in normal working hours, he reckons that drivers lose credibility when this is required.They also miss the chance to enter the company's driver of the year competition.
For Rowlands, high standards of compliance bring important spin-off benefits.A steady decline in the rate of accidents has reduced Wincanton's exposure to ever increasing insurance rates and a reputation for safety helps contract tender decisions to go in its favour. "And if drivers say Wincanton is attractive to work for because they know they're going to get home safe at night, it adds value to their job," he says.
"That helps ensure we don't have problems filling vacancies and are the employer of choice."