According to DVSA data we obtained, LGV drivers are repeating the same Driver CPC training topics, suggesting that opportunities for continued development are being missed. With a shortage of skilled drivers and an ageing workforce, we want to warn drivers that this may pose a risk to the future of the industry.
“It’s a real concern that so many of the course topics that are currently being chosen for Driver CPC are the same as those taken in the last training cycle,” says Laura Nelson, Managing Director of RTITB. “It indicates that many employers and drivers are treating the training as a ‘box-ticking’ exercise and wasting this valuable opportunity.”
The data from the DVSA showed that out of the current ten most popular subject areas, seven topics are the same as in the previous five-year Driver CPC training cycle. In fact, three courses – First Aid, Modular and Driver Hours – have remained in the top five most popular subject areas.
Other popular training courses that are being repeated in the current cycle include Drivers Hours, WTD and Tachographs, Health and Safety, Safe Loading and Customer Service.
“To attract and retain the drivers of the future, Driver CPC needs to offer genuine continued professional development,” says Laura. “If drivers tire of repeating the same training courses every cycle, they may not be motivated to continue in this very important career.”
Although recent reports from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) showed a year on year increase in the number of LGV drivers in employment, the most recent Labour Force Survey statistics continue to show that the UK is facing a future driver shortage. There are more LGV drivers over the age of 45, than under 45, with more drivers aged between 50 and 54 than in any other age bracket.
“Driver CPC is not intended to be a ‘refresher’ course,” says Laura. “In order to keep the drivers of the future engaged, it is crucial that employers consider which training subjects will bring the most value to their specific operation.”
Laura concludes “With three years left in the current Driver CPC cycle, we encourage drivers and employers to make the remainder of their training really count.”
We support employers to make training choices that can benefit their organisation as a whole and deliver a return on their investment. The RTITB Driver CPC CourseBuilder library covers 110 topics all of which aim to improve driver behaviour and are delivered through a wide selection of 35-minute interactive learning sessions which include quizzes, video led discussion, working party style discussions and case study based learning. This approach has been developed to engage drivers and offers opportunities to develop a broad range of skills. It also enables employers to create Driver CPC courses which are uniquely tailored to their customer and business needs and deliver measurable ROI.
Find out more information on RTITB Driver CPC courses for drivers, training providers or employers.
ABOUT THE DATA
The DVSA responded to a Freedom of Information request from RTITB in September 2016 providing the top ten Driver CPC course subjects both for the period from 10th September 2009 to 10th September 2014 and for the current cycle from 11th September 2014 to 1st August 2016. The full results were as follows:
10th September 2009 – 10th September 2014
1. Drivers Hours
2. First Aid
3. Modular Course
4. Health and Safety
5. Customer Service
6. Safe Loading
7. Drivers Hours, WTD and Tachographs
8. Walk Round Checks
9. Daily Checks
11th September 2014 – 1st August 2016
1. First Aid
2. Module Course
3. Drivers Houses, WTD and Tachographs
4. Awareness (combination of driver, disability, road and vehicle)
5. Drivers Hours
6. Carriage of Dangerous Goods
7. Health and Safety
8. Safe Loading
9. Customer Service
10. Tanker