Cuts across board save High Email
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THE ROAD Transport Industry Training Board has confounded sceptics in the haulage industry by cutting the running costs of its High Ercall Motec by more than the projected amount. The centre now has as safe a future as the Board, reports Al AN MU I AR
Motec (Multi-occupational training and education centre) had been under threat of closure after business earlier this year fell to as few as 23 apprentices on one occasion, and its deficit was £1 .25m.
The employer representatives on the Board, which include the Road Haulage Association, wanted Motec to be closed and for its work to be taken over by group training associations, many of which are also feeling the savage effect of the loss of training business in the recession.
When the Board, led by the dominant trade union and edu cation representatives, voted to give the centre a six-month reprieve this year (CM, March 20), the RHA made no secret of its displeasure.
While the Board was convinced that increased marketing, selling training places to non-transport customers, and the use of the centre for Shropshire Youth Training Scheme students would reduce the deficit to below £500,000, the RHA was not so sure. Directorgeneral Freddie Plaskett told former Employment Secretary Norman Tebbit then that it was a white elephant that should be closed.
But a report presented to the Board earlier this month showed that the economy drive, which also shed the labour force at High Ercall by 20 per cent, has worked and the threat of closure next April has been lifted.
A spokesman for the Board told CM that the deficit had been cut to around £400,000, all of which must be funded from employers' levy contributions.
While the Board's entire future will be reviewed next year, in line with Mr Tebbit's promise last year when he decided not to split it into separate haulage and motor trade boards (see RHA row on p10), an internal review is also being undertaken to establish its own long-term plans.
That review is being undertaken by a working party of Board members, including former RHA chairman Ken Rogers, and is chaired by RTITB chairman John Armstrong.
Mr Plaskett told CM on Tuesday that the reduced running costs of Motec had influenced the RHA's education and training committee in its decision to support the RTITB's retention.