10 Top Tips for Driver CPC
Keri Ashton, HR Manager– Resourcing & Development at Fraikin and the person responsible for Driver CPC training at the contract hire, fleet management and rental giant, provides ten top tips for planning and managing your Driver CPC training.
1. Start planning now
So far only a small proportion of the industry has taken up the mantle and started training. This will lead to higher demand towards 2014 and increased prices. In addition there is no guarantee any agency labour you currently use will be qualified ahead of the deadline, so there may well be a premium to pay for securing agency drivers as well.
2. Use your seasonal peaks and troughs
Make sure your provider can train around your business peaks and troughs – it makes it easier for you to release people and continue to satisfy your customers. It may mean you can manage without engaging agency labour, helping to keep your costs to a minimum.
3. Always make it part of the business
Training that’s relative to the job and your business should help gain driver commitment for the Driver CPC. Some providers will write and register a bespoke course for your business that covers the syllabus and also links into your business initiatives e.g. Health and Safety, Customer Care or SAFED etc. This is a cost effective way of not only securing your Driver CPC, but gaining direct business benefits in the process.
4. Check what you are paying for
Some trainers provide an all-inclusive charge for training (e.g. including upload, certificate, course notes, refreshments etc) whereas others promote a basic rate and charge additional fees for these and other ‘extras’. Make sure you are comparing like with like when it comes to looking at cost.
5. Contingency
What contingency is there from the training provider if a trainer is unable to deliver on the day you have planned and you have already arranged agency cover? Do they have other trainers that can step into the breach?
6. Keep details up-to-date
Make sure you have up-to-date driver details on file. If you are booking courses then your training provider should carry out a licence check. As a result, they may ask you for driving licence details for your employees.
7. The wider training circle
Driver CPC training is not just for your drivers. There may be people such as Transport Mangers or technicians who currently have a vocational licence or acquired rights (for vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes). For these to be maintained so they can drive as part of their role then they need periodic training too!
8. Working Time Considerations
Under the Working Time Directive (WTD), if a driver is paid by their employer whilst attending training (including periodic training) then the training counts as ‘working time’; this may have an impact on your drivers hours entitlements. In addition, Saturday training may not be the best use of time if overtime has to be paid and shifts need to be rearranged to accommodate rest periods. Don’t assume everyone is up to speed on the basics of the WTD. Our experience shows there are massive differences in understanding!
9. Expect Absentees
It is inevitable that some individuals won’t be able to attend their planned Driver CPC training, perhaps through illness. Make sure you have agreed with your provider how they can cover these people.
10. Interaction
A “classroom” can be an alien environment for a driver, so make sure any course you book is going to be interactive and truly engages the delegates. Seven hours of “chalk and talk” will make them less inclined to attend the next one! Training and learning new skills and information will be hard work but if you make your courses relevant and interesting it can still be enjoyable!
For more information about Driver CPC training please click on the links below.
