GoSkills: CPC briefings on the road again in 2008

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Friday, 25, Jan 2008 12:00

Bus and Coach Operators in Belfast and in the North East and East Midlands regions of England are invited to attend information briefings on the introduction of the PCV Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC)1 – the first such events to be hosted in 2008 by GoSkills, the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for Passenger Transport.

John Smith, GoSkills’ PCV Driver Training Adviser, said: “Following the successful PCV Driver CPC briefings which GoSkills ran throughout last year, we are now inviting operators to attend a further series of events as we approach the implementation date later this year.”

The benefits of the PCV Driver CPC will be improvements in the overall quality of employees available to the bus and coach industries, an increase in road safety as well as the promotion of a more professional image, attracting more people to drive buses and coaches for a living.

The North East and East Midlands briefings will also provide information on the Train to Gain2 service launched by the Learning and Skills Council which is designed to help businesses get the training they need to succeed.

Date and Venues for Briefings:

Wednesday 13 February

(Joint event with CPT Northern Region):

Riverside Cricket Ground, Chester le Street, 10am – 1pm

Co Durham

Wednesday 20 February:

Holiday Inn Derby, Nottingham M1, Junction 25 10am – 2pm

Thursday 21 February:

Belfast Waterfront, 2 Lanyon Place, Belfast, County Antrim 1.30pm – 3.30pm

*If you are interested in the event in County Durham please call Ann Bubbear on 07841 050 361 or email: ann.bubbear@goskills.org

*For the Nottingham event please contact Hannah Ferguson, Event Coordinator on 0845 058 6644 or email: events@businesslinkem.co.uk.

*If you would like to attend the Belfast event please contact Helen Barratt on 0121 635 5022 or email: helen.barratt@goskills.org.

The briefings are free and open to all operators regardless of CPT or GoSkills membership.

Ends

Press enquiries please contact:

Richard Tibenham – Communications Manager - 0121 635 5530, email: richard.tibenham@goskills.org

or Fraser Tennant – Communications Executive – 0121 635 5531, email: fraser.tennant@goskills.org

For further information visit www.goskills.org

Notes to Editors:

1. The EU Directive that introduces the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) comes into force across all European Union member states on 10 September 2008 for bus and coach drivers. In future, just holding a vocational driving licence will not be sufficient for someone who wishes to drive such vehicles for a living. Employers will have a responsibility to ensure all the drivers they employ hold the correct certificate and licence.

2. Train to Gain is a service from the Learning and Skills Council, helping businesses get the training they need to succeed. An important element of Train to Gain is skills brokerage that offers free impartial advice, and helps find the best training solution from high quality and responsive training providers to meet business needs. Train to Gain aims to encourage all businesses and individuals to value and realise the benefits that learning and skills can bring and to invest appropriately. To find out more about how Train to Gain can help visit: traintogain.gov.uk