RHA opposes
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training levy revisions
• The Road Haulage Association is totally opposed to changes in the financing of road transport training along the lines of the 'Alternative Strategy' proposed by the Road Transport Industry Training Board.
In its response to the RTITB's consultative document, Future Options, the RHA says: "It is a major error to believe that cheaper or `no cost' courses or facilities will encourage training."
The RHA claims the RTITB's proposed funding changes would lead to a substantial increase in the numbers of RTITB administrative staff, create complacency among training providers and allow training centres to operate uncommercially.
With 11,000 hauliers in the RHA, most of which are small companies receiving training through the offices of the RTITB, the RHA's negative response is likely to bring into question the future of the RTITB's Alternative Strategy.
Denzil Webber, director of administration at the RTITB, says all the responses from trade associations and companies will be considered by the RTITB's Industrial Council on February 19. The Council's recommendations will go to the board on March 24.
Although the RHA is opposed to the alternative financing strategy proposed by the RTITB, it is not opposed to all proposals within Future Options. In particular, the RHA accepts that the training levy should be retained at 0.8% and suggests that the levy exclusion level should be
lowered so that the maximum possible number of haulage companies falls within the levy/grant scheme.