Training time for freight men
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TRAINING has long been part of the services offered by the Freight Transport Association but the establishment of a new training school at their Tunbridge Wells headquarters is a new departure.
The school opened for business earlier this month and under the guidance of headmaster Mr Alan Kevan it is winning praise from all concerned.
Tunbridge Wells became home to the FTA only seven months ago and the training school, complete with classroom and smaller syndicate rooms stands in the grounds of Hermes House.
The school is running courses not only for beginners in the transport world but for transport managers and all concerned with the ownaccount transport of their companies.
Mr Kevan said that training was becoming an increasingly important part of the transport world. "There was nothing there to start with so whatever is added •is •an improvement," he said.
The school was first thought of five years ago when Mr Kevan was appointed as training adviser to the FTA. In his first report he told the association that "people are the most important assets of a business and training is an economic activity which must pay off."
He says that there is an urgent need for knowledge about distribution, management and transport matters at board-room level and he has recommended that the FrA should take steps towards training at this and other levels—the new school is the result.
Speakers for the courses come from member companies as well as from the FTA itself. A recent course for transport managers included speakers from Watney Mann, Bath University and the Government's advisory and conciliation services.
Managers
Courses at the school are open only to member companies and their employees. When CM visited the school a course was in progress for newly appointed transport and depot managers.
The men-18 on this course but the norm is between 20 and 24—heard a lecture from Mr Alan West of Ranks Hovis McDougall. The classroom is equipped with audio-visual aids and the cool of the room contrasted with the heat outside making an environment in which it is easy to concentrate.
FTA policy is aimed at giving education to the men who will be running the country's transport in the future—and they are already prepared for the coming of the transport managers' licence.
Mr Kevan said that the association 'already has a scheme of training laid on for the coming of the TNIL,— despite their persistent policy of opposition to the licences for own-account operators.
Subjects covered on the courses embrace the whole spectrum of transport, fron the law and the operator tc industrial relations. Thi courses are designed so that novice could come to the in dustry and leave—practica experience apart—prepared tt manage a small fleet.
The future
The FTA schemes represen a system of training that i unique for the own-accoun operator—and that sector 1 learning that training is be coming a part of the future h transport.
Prices for 'the courses cai vary but for a one-week cours in transport management th, fee is £170 including accom modation. The courses may la eligible for training boan grants but different board treat the courses in differen manners.
It is expected that the ner school will handle over 501 students from UK companie over the next 12 months—bu those students will be comin, from member companies. Fr) policy is normally to trai students from member ,cornpa nies only.