Holding on to mediocrity?
Page 15
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WHAT A SHAME the important discussion about the CPC (CM July 18, pp4, 17) got bogged down into the mire of politics, helping small businesses, and its part in the licensing system.
Voluntary effort and the possibility of CPC holders wanting to go on to better things — in business or in education — seemed to be stifled.
In 1968 the trade associations, trades unions, professional bodies and RTIT8 were very much in accord with the idea of higher voluntary levels of the Transport Manager's Licence building up on the proposed statutory level, which was never promulgated.
CPC levels of standard (the present work permit) with voluntary, advanced and higher levels seemed simple enough to devise, in 1968 anyway. Think of it — employers finding that their fleet performance was improved by having better qualified managers, Transport Minister finding that fleets were running more smoothly, semi-illiterates being motivated instead of denigrated as lowest common denominators. What an opportunity lost and of all places at the Teachers of Transport Studies conference!
Good ideas, voluntary effort and motivation in education often take time to overcome political and organisational opposition but in the long run qualifications that save costs are recognised. Those who qualify are usually people who put in a lot of voluntary work in getting their qualification. J. A. FLETCHER The Institute of Road Transport Engineers London SW7