GoSkills says PCV Driver CPC is nothing to fear.
Go Skills logo for press releases
Monday, 10, Sep 2007 12:00
GoSkills says PCV Driver CPC is nothing to fear and will bring benefits to those prepared
Today marks the one-year countdown to the introduction of the PCV Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) on 10 September 2008. The introduction of this certificate has been controversial but there are many positives too. The Periodic Training system is operator friendly and operators have a say in the arrangements through their Sector Skills Council. The PCV Driver CPC will assist in raising the profile of vocational driving as a job for professionals with high standards.
Employers need to be aware that all of their drivers will have to hold the correct certificate and licence as holding a vocational driving licence will no longer be sufficient for anyone wishing to drive passenger carrying vehicles. GoSkills, the Sector Skills Council (SSC), CPT and the Driving Standards Agency have been working hard to smooth implementation by providing information assistance and correcting misconceptions - but some work remains to be done.
To assist in allaying industry concerns, a series of information and guidance briefings have been arranged for Bus and Coach operators in the North West, South West and the West Midlands during October (see below).
Peter Huntington, GoSkills’ Chief Executive, said: “The PCV Driver CPC is now only a year away. It’s time for operators to start planning for it now if they have not already done so. A little preparation will save on a great deal of bother later. GoSkills is happy to help with advice and assistance. This thing is not the ogre it’s been painted and good operators with training arrangements already in place will have nothing to fear. In fact, there are a number of positives.”
The benefits of full PCV Driver CPC implementation will include improvements in the overall quality of available employees, increased road safety and fuel efficiency, as well as promotion of a more professional and attractive image of the Bus and Coach industry.
Nick Carter, DSA Deputy Chief Executive, said: “We are making good progress with implementing Driver CPC and are on track to meet the deadline of 10 September next year. DSA, GoSkills and CPT are working together closely to ensure PCV Driver CPC is implemented in a way that suits the needs of the industry and to deliver the anticipated benefits, and to ensure that everyone who will be subject to PCV Driver CPC knows what they have to do.”
GoSkills will also be using the series of information briefings to advise Bus and Coach operators on its forthcoming Sector Skills Agreement which will bring together all parties connected with skills, training and passenger transport issues. Information will be available too on Train to Gain, the new Learning and Skills Council service which helps businesses get the training they need to succeed by ensuring that staff have the right skills.
The PCV Driver CPC briefings are free to attend and open to all regardless of CPT or GoSkills membership.
Dates and Venues:
18 September 2007: World of Glass, St Helens, Merseyside (contact: Ann Bubbear on 07831 050 361, email: ann.bubbear@goskills.org.
17 October 2007: Engineers House, Bristol (Telephone: 08456 047 047, email: traintogain@bldc.co.uk.
18 October 2007: Lord Haldon Hotel, Exeter (Telephone: 08456 047 047, email: traintogain@bldc.co.uk.
23 October 2007: Tillington Hall Hotel, Stafford (contact Bernadette Smith on 07730 517 933, email: bernadette.smith@goskills.org.
24 October: Westmead Hotel, Hopwood, Birmingham (contact Bernadette Smith on 07730 517 933, email: bernadette.smith@goskills.org.
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. GoSkills received its licence to operate as the Sector Skills Council for Passenger Transport from the Sector Skills Development Agency in October 2004. Its mission is to be the leading authority on skills issues for the passenger transport sector. For its first year of licensed operation it received a high grading from the SSDA in the annual assessment.
2. GoSkills sector coverage encompasses the following industries and professions:
Aviation (airlines, airports and ground handlers)
Bus
Coach
Taxi and Private Hire
Community Transport
Rail
Trams
Driver Training
Transport Planning
3. PCV Driver CPC will affect professional bus and coach drivers from 10 September 2008 and professional lorry drivers from 10 September 2009. New bus, coach and lorry drivers will be required to take an initial test to gain their PCV Driver CPC qualification. Existing bus, coach and lorry drivers will have ‘acquired rights’ and will be required to undertake 35 hours of approved periodic training over a five year period. All drivers will need to retain their PCV Driver CPC by completing 35 hours of periodic training every five years if they wish to continue to drive professionally. Periodic Training will be recorded and once a driver has completed 35 hours of approved training their Driver Qualification Card will be issued. New drivers will also receive a Driver Qualification Card when they pass their initial PCV Driver CPC test. More information on PCV Driver CPC can be found at: www.transportoffice.gov.uk/cpc
Disclaimer:
Press releases published on this page are from key opinion formers who promote their
organisation's activities by subscribing to a campaign site within politics.co.uk.
politics.co.uk does not endorse, edit, or attempt to balance the opinions expressed
on this page. The content of press releases are wholly the responsibility of the
originating company or organisation.