With the recent economic down turn affecting all areas of the logistic and transport industry, companies can be forgiven for cutting costs in all possible ways. However, the current buoyancy of the transport training market proves that it’s not all ‘doom and gloom’ and some things are really worth the investment.

The consensus from the large conglomerates that training is key to success has filtered throughout the transport training industry, with many SMEs and owner drivers signing up to all forms of training.

Many operators have felt the pinch but with the help of up-skilling and compliance assistance, transport training candidates are thriving. The recent Managers CPC success is testament to the expansion of the number of companies taking training seriously. Couple this with the rapid expansion of driver CPC take up, and it points to an industry fighting back.

The worst may or may not be behind us but this is not time for complacency. Take the initiative to put yourself at the front of competition, training and up-skilling is key to the survival of any company and with the new CPC laws in full effect, now is the appropriate time.

Courses available to transport sectors are many and varied. The popular ADR Training course is still as successful as ever, and Fuel Efficient Driving is growing day by day. Participation on these practical courses is easier than expected,

Most drivers are aware of NVQ training previously popular is this sector. However, with funding restrictions enforced in all areas only the largest training providers have any funding allocation left. This funded training is worth every penny of tax payer’s money; however mere pounds and pence must not be the overruling factor when choosing your training path.

The PCV sector is into their second year of CPC training and the Logistic Operators can learn many lessons from their experiences. Whist certain CPC courses may appear cheap as the saying goes ‘you get what you pay for’. You are going to have to do this training so why waste good money to be stuck in a dark room with ‘death by PowerPoint’ when you can get high quality, hands on training.

The key is forward planning. Those who plan now and schedule their training now will reap the rewards in the future. With five years before CPC effects those drivers with grandfather rights why not do one module a year rather than wait till the last minute and hope a training provider can squeeze you in? The positive reaction so far is an encouraging sign for the future.

In September 2014 we don’t want drivers sitting outside their cabs unable to drive.
The vision of LGV driving is changing; the professional industry we all know is at the forefront of innovative development. Imperative to this change is skill and knowledge of transport training providers to facilitate the changes required to accomplish this.