The Freight Transport Association (FTA) says that despite industry figures showing a sharp spike in the number of drivers embarking on their Driver CPC training in the first half of 2011, companies are still finding it hard to reconcile the cost of training against already stretched budgets, especially when they could be training drivers that won’t be working for them by the Driver CPC deadline of 2014.

James Firth, FTA’s Head of Road Freight and Enforcement Policy, said: “We have detected reluctance from within industry to invest in training their drivers when there is a good chance that by the time the deadline for Driver CPC comes around those same drivers might be working elsewhere.

“The widely reported lack of engagement from industry with Driver CPC isn’t simply about companies burying their heads in the sand and hoping it will all go away, these are after all professional firms that by and large support the guiding principles behind Driver CPC. As such we wouldn’t be surprised if canny companies adopt a lower risk strategy of booking up their training modules now for their drivers to embark on nearer the deadline date.”

According to the Driving Standards Agency, the number of drivers active on the database (which indicates the number of drivers who have uploaded at least 7 hours) rose sharply to over 410,000 at the end of June. In its recent submission to the Transport Select Committee about the DSA (and the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency), one of the issues FTA raised was the way in which Driver CPC data has been stored.

Firth concluded: “Unfortunately, because there is no provision in the current Driver CPC database for separating out passenger and hgv drivers, it is impossible to know the extent of the problem; with the passenger deadline now only 24 months away, it is likely that the spike is largely due to the PSV sector picking up the pace.

“Current intelligence suggests that a number of qualified hgv drivers will be well short of the 35 hours mark approaching the 2014 deadline. What this will almost certainly mean for those who haven’t yet begun the process is a lack of choice, especially when it comes to finding good value, quality training.”

Our picture shows: Noreen Toye busy taking calls, while boss Noel Sweeney and new                       husband, Denis Sheridan, looks on.

Swilly Group Administration Officer, Noreen Toye didn’t bargain on this when she planned her wedding to Denis Sheridan right in the middle of the August Driver CPC rush.

As the wedding party made its way from the idyllic church in Creeslough, Co Donegal to the reception in Ballybofey, the group diverted to Swilly Group headquarters in Letterkenny for a champagne reception.

Swilly Group founder, Noel Sweeney, greeted Noreen as her very own personal waiter dressed in full uniform, black wig and in a thick French accent! Orange juice a plenty was laid on for all the designated drivers.

While enjoying the unplanned diversion, telephones were ringing as normal and a client, unaware of Noreen’s wedding, asked for Noreen, Without hesitation Noreen slipped into her chair and dealt with the client as if it was a normal day! Wedding dress or not, work must go on!

Brian Sweeney founder of the Swilly Group commented: “Non compliance with the Driver CPC periodic training is likely to cause business interruption and in some cases incur financial penalties to drivers and transport companies in 2013/2014.”

Drivers with both a truck and bus licence who intend driving buses and trucks professionally must complete all six of the driver CPC modules in every five year cycle. Modules 1 through 4 are common for bus and truck drivers. However module 5 (The Professional Truck Driver) is specific to truck drivers and module 6 (The Professional Bus Driver) is specific to bus drivers.

It is important that drivers who have both a truck and bus licence complete specific modules 5 and 6 in the one year. Completing either of these modules on their own in any one year may create compliance problems.

Sweeney added: “The feedback we have received from our tutors delivering Driver CPC courses is that drivers are not fully aware of the consequences of non-compliance with the Driver CPC regulations”.

“Planning the sequence a driver (with both licences) completes the Driver CPC periodic modules must be carried out carefully to ensure full compliance”.

“If drivers are not fully compliant with the Driver CPC regulations, they may be prevented from driving professionally in 2013/2014.”

The Swilly Group has uploaded a short blog on its website site, www.swillygroup.com entitled “Driver CPC Modules – What Sequence?” outlining the importance of planning the sequence of driver CPC periodic training modules for drivers with bus and truck licences.

All bus drivers need to have three modules completed by September of this year, while truck drivers need to have two modules completed, according to the Irish School of Motoring (ISM).

“Many drivers have tried to complete as many modules as possible and this has brought up some serious issues. Drivers who are up to date with their modules are not allowed to complete more than one day’s training this year. Some drivers have tried to do this and their extra day has not counted,” an ISM spokesman told hgvireland.com

For drivers who hold both a bus and truck licence (as in those who must complete six modules over five years) they are being encouraged to complete two modules in year five.

To book your CPC Training for €50 per day nationwide, call 1850 530 430.

Irish School of Motoring

The HGV Driver Training Speci alists

* ADR

* Driver CPC

* Fleet Management – ISM Advanced Eco Driver Training Course

* Fuel Management – ISM Advanced Eco Driver Training Course

* Health and Safety – ISM Advanced Eco Driver Training Course

* HGV Driving Instructors

* HGV and Bus Driver Training

* Hazardous Goods

* Forklift Training

For more information contact:

Irish School of Motoring Ltd

ISM Head Office

Jamestown Business Park

Finglas

Dublin 11

Office: 1850 530 430

Fax: (01) 8362729

www.ism.ie

info@ism.ie

The Irish School of Motoring (ISM) has reported an increase in the number of people booking Driver CPC courses, and is warning applicants to make sure that they are applying to sit the appropriate modules.

“Drivers need to double check the modules that they are booking and make sure that they are not booking modules that they took in 2009 / 2010,” a spokesman commented.

“Drivers should check their receipts or contact their training providers for details of previous courses,” he added

ISM is currently offering a special discounted offer of €50 at selected venues nationwide. To book call 1850 530 430

The Irish School of Motoring (ISM) Training Services says the RSA CPC unit are currently working on the course material.

“The updates are being implemented to ensure that drivers receive the most accurate and up to date information when participating in periodic training,” an ISM spokesman commented.

He continued: “This highlights how important the feedback forms given to each trainee are as comments of relevance documented on the Driver CPC evaluation sheets (which we receive after training) are taken into consideration when deciding what areas of the module to amend / change.”

“The RSA had intended to have all the modules updated and reviewed before the start of the next five year period, however it seems that the process should be complete before then,” he added.

“The updated material will be circulated to approved training providers once each module review has been completed.”

The ISM is currently offering a special offer of €50 per day for the month of April. To avail of this offer, call 1850 530 430 immediately.

“When you consider the quality of the other companies who were short listed for the awards, we were totally shocked when our name was called out for the overall award,”said Brian Sweeney, Managing Director of Swilly Group.

“I’m delighted for my parents Noel and Mary, who have worked hard for the past 36 years building the business. We have an excellent team of employees who give us 100 per cent week in week out and we couldn’t have achieved this without their hard work and commitment. They are Paddy Maguire, James Greene, Noreen Toye, Michael McGill, Liam Casey, Don Ponsonby, Susan Wasson, Damian Kerin and Karen Boyle. We also have a large group of part time tutors and training partners who have worked extremely hard for the company and I want to acknowledge their contribution also.”

Michael Tunney, CEO of Donegal County Enterprise Board, said: “The Sweeney family richly deserve this award. They have developed a small family business into one that is delivering services across the island. They combine excellent service delivery with an eye for marketing and promotional opportunities, and they devote significant resources to training themselves and their staff to constantly improve their capabilities.”

The Swilly Group is the biggest driving school outside Dublin and the third biggest in the country. It was founded by Noel Sweeney in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal in 1975.

Noel’s wife Mary joined him in the business in the early 90s and now his sons Brian, Stephen and Karl are also actively involved in the business, which employs 14 full-time staff and over 30 part-time and contract staff.

The company has expanded across Ireland and Northern Ireland and offers driver training and consulting services for learner drivers, truck and bus drivers, fleet operators and driving instructors.

The company’s training unit also delivers IT, health and safety and general business training. The Swilly Group opened new offices in Tallaght and Finglas in Dublin in February this year and is about to open a further office in Belfast.

Noel also generated a lot of coverage with his YouTube video recorded in December describing how to drive in snow. The video received over 14,000 views in a few days, with viewers coming from as far afield as New Zealand.

“We would like to remind drivers ion the week of the worst budget in living memory how important the CPC is for their job prospects,” an ISM spokesman commented.

“No company can legally hire a driver who is not up to date with his or her Driver CPC. We are recommending that drivers do not to leave it until September 2011 to book their next module,” the spokesman added,

As Christmas approaches the ISM has noticed a fall off in bookings for the Driver CPC. However, the New Year will be a particularly busy period for ISM Training Services.

”We have a lot of bookings for January, but we would like to remind drivers readers that they are still booking in Dublin, Waterford, Cork, Galway and Limerick for 2011,” the spokesman concluded.

ISM Training Services has received a lot of queries regarding the issuing of official Driver CPC Cards following the completion of training, a spokesman confirmed.

”All drivers should have received an official receipt from the trainer after the completion of each Driver CPC training Module. The Road Safety Authority has confirmed that they will be issuing Driver CPC Cards to all drivers who at the end of five years have completed five training modules,” the ISM spokesman explained

“It is essential that all drivers complete one module per year in order to maintain their Driver CPC qualification. Any driver who has not yet completed CPC training should do so as soon as possible and contact the RSA to explain the reason for the delay,” he added

He concluded: “The ISM would like to reiterate how important the receipts are. If you did not receive one on completion of your training you should contact your training provider and ask them to issue you with one immediately.”

Many people challenged by dyslexia have not been formally diagnosed. DHL’s DCPC trainers are taught to identify their learning needs and how to help employees who are experiencing problems in the DCPC learning environment. This is a significant move in the field of logistics, where a higher proportion of the driving work force is expected to have literacy related difficulties.

DHL maintains over 50 approved trainers to deliver over 30 courses a week throughout Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The company funds this training for all its internal drivers and also offers bespoke courses for customers. More than 8,000 vocational drivers across the UK have been trained so far and DHL expects to help in excess of 10,000 drivers complete their compulsory training before the given period of five years ends.

Pierre de Carteret, UK Programme Manager – Driver CPC says: “Maintaining highly skilled and motivated drivers and subcontractors within our business is integral to our continued success and safety standards. Working with Dyslexia Action will develop our trainers to a higher standard. This will have a positive impact on the training that we deliver and will hopefully lead to other logistics employers demanding similar high standards and more drivers achieving their DCPC training.”

Shirley Cramer CBE, Chief Executive Officer of Dyslexia Action, comments: “As a charity that improves lives through education, our objective is to prepare those with a hidden disability such as dyslexia to improve skills and to develop strategies to overcome their difficulties. It is commendable to see that a market leader such as DHL is willing to tackle the issue of weak literacy skills in their workforce to widen their employees’ employment and promotional prospect.

Driver Certificate Competence training (DCPC) is a requirement of the EU directive 2003/59 to the knowledge and skills of professional LGV and PCV drivers throughout their working life. Drivers are required to complete 35 hours of periodic training before September 2014 to retain their entitlement to drive vocationally.

Dyslexia Action training is given by Post Graduate level dyslexia specialist trainers, who have experience of delivering this type of training to a large number of private, public and third sector organizations across the country, including Health service, Universities, Police, Probation and the Prison Sector.

A number of truck drivers that contacted the show said that the course content did not address any of the issues that hauliers face on a daily basis.

The general consensus of opinion was that the Driver CPC was just another revenue generating exercise dressed up as a road safety initiative.

If you have recently taken the first module of the Driver CPC and would like to comment contact the Editor.

Drivers that miss the September 10 by that date will have to explain to the Road Safety Authority why they did not take the first training module.

“Any professional driver that missed their first module will need to contact the RSA CPC unit with a reason as to why they missed the module. Once this is done the RSA will confirm that they can undertake another module within the second year with their RSA Approved Driver CPC Modular Training Venue. If they do not register then the second Module will be classed as null and void,| Eric Hanlon, HGV/Coach Operations Supervisor, ISM Training Services explained.

If you have any queries regarding the Driver CPC email the Editor.

All queries and responses will be published on hgvireland.com For more information on the Driver CPC, click on the ISM Training Services button advertisement on this page.

As Ireland’s only nationwide driving school, the ISM is ideally placed to ensure that all drivers are guided through this process as effortlessly and professionally as possible.

“The ISM’s team of instructors are determined to make this an easy process for all drivers. We are professional, friendly, experienced, and 100 per cent committed to making each training project a success,” Brendan Phelan of ISM commented.

ISM is now offering unbeatable discounts for group bookings nationwide ahead of the September 10, deadline for all truck drivers. To book call Brendan or Eric on 1850 530 430.

The ISM is also an established accredited forklift truck training organisation, registered with Fás Registered and RTITB accredited.

”We provide forklift training and certification to clients on site and at our dedicated and purpose built training centre in Finglas, Dublin 11,” Brendan commented.

The ISM specialises in accreditation on all categories of forklift:

* Counter Balance Forklift Training

* Reach Truck Forklift Training

* Power Pallet Forklift Training

* Manual Handling Training Course

* M.E.W.P. (Multi Elevated Work Platform) Training

For more information call the ISM on 1850 530 430.

The Driver CPC puts in place ongoing training for all professional Bus and Truck drivers in line with what has historically been happening in other EU states.

The implementation of the EU Directive signifies the importance of professional drivers to the economy and to the EU as a whole and illustrates the need for the profession of driving to be put on an equal standing with other professions in the workplace.

Check out the RSA’s dedicated web pages by clicking on the following link:

“This training is designed to enhance driver knowledge and skill and reduce death and injuries on our roads,” Tony Hynes of CPC.ie commented

“The training also focuses on reducing running costs, increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of drivers as well as helping to protect the environment,” he added.

Tony revealed that each training day is one module per year and these modules include: excellence in vehicle control, health and safety for drivers, tachographs and hours of driving and unlocking your potential as a professional driver.

One of Tony’s students, Orla Canton, who did a Transport Manager course with him, attended the Driver CPC Module 1 training recently, even although she is not obliged to do the Driver CPC training.

Orla enthused: “This course is brilliant and, even though I didn’t have to do it, I found it very interesting and useful. Everyone should attend one of Tony’s CPC courses as you will have a unique learning experience.”

Tony is Ireland’s is a dedicated CPC Specialist and runs Driver and Transport Manager CPC courses nationwide. The Transport Manager CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence), which is awarded by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, qualifies you as a Transport Manager and also entitles you to apply to set up a haulage or bus passenger business.

A CPC is also extremely beneficial for career advancement, up- skilling and promotional prospects.

Tony is currently offering Transport Manager and Driver CPC Courses at locations near you so if you wish to obtain further information  you can contact Tony at 066-7185556; 087-6363003; 086-2458379 or tony@cpc.ie or visit his dedicated website at www.CPC.ie.

Target audience:

Drivers, owner drivers and any road transport, haulage, bus or coach company employing drivers or running a fleet of vehicles

as part of their business. The seminar will focus on goods vehicles exceeding 3.5 tonnes and passenger carrying vehicles.

Key messages:

Introduction to the Driver CPC Regulation

Understanding the Legal Requirements

Partnership and Consortium options

Venue:

Lough Neagh Discovery and Conference Centre, Craigavon, Country Armagh, BT66 6NJ

If you wish to attend this session, please call John McMillen on (028) 3832 7887, or email johnmcmillen01@googlemail.com

Times:

Breakfast and refreshments at 8.00am for 8.30am start, ending at 10.00am

They concluded that, in the long run, the EU Directive is a blessing for the profession to help further the key objectives of increased professionalism, road safety and environmental protection.

However, several aspects, such as the lack of harmonisation in implementing the directive between EU Member States, create a two-speed access situation to the profession.

Baku GLS Ltd, the progressive transport company, which was founded in 2000 and is based in Rosslare Harbour Co. Wexford has established South East Transport Training Ltd to offer bespoke transport training to companies and individuals.

South East Transport Training Ltd has been approved by the Road Safety Authority to provide all modules of Driver CPC training to truck and bus drivers.

Training days will be hosted in the Rosslare Harbour area for the convenience of international drivers.

Further details are available from Jimmy Wickham – contact details 053 9161786 or email jimmy@bakugls.com

Driver CPC regulations for truck drivers came into force across the EU on September 10.

The NorthWest Training Centre (NWTC) is organising the information evenings. Director, Brian Sweeney commented: “To cater for the increase in demand due to the regulations coming into force for lorry drivers, we have scheduled Driver CPC training every Saturday between now and Christmas and into the New Year”.

“We can also facilitate companies that have a group of drivers wishing to complete the training on a day and date of their choice”.

Driver CPC courses are currently being rolled out at training centres in Dublin, Drogheda, Monaghan, Carrick-on-Shannon, Galway, Sligo and Letterkenny.

For more information please check out www.northwest.ie, call (074) 9168634 or email brian@northwest.ie.

All trucks drivers who drive for a living are now required to have a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC). The Road Safety Authority (RSA) says the Driver CPC will enhance the driving skills of bus and truck drivers and put professional driving on an equal standing with other professions in the workplace.

The Driver CPC will also lead to fewer casualties on our roads giving greater protection to more vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, motorcyclists, cyclists the very young and older people, according to the RSA.

Any drivers holding a valid full licence in the truck licence category on or before 9th September 2009 are automatically entitled to the new Driver CPC.

A driver applying for a truck licence on or after 10th September 2009 will now be required to pass a further theory and practical driving test in addition to the ordinary truck driving test, if they wish to become a professional truck driver.

All drivers who hold a Driver CPC, whether by sitting the new tests or by acquired rights will be required to complete a 35 hour training programme during the following five years in order to retain the Driver CPC. This will consist of a day’s training per year over the five years.

There are currently 51 RSA approved training providers in 151 locations throughout the country. A list of RSA approved training centres can be found on the RSA website.

Noel Brett, Chief Executive of the RSA said: “These new changes are being introduced in all European Union Member States on the 10th September 2009, as part of a Europe-wide initiative to improve road safety and recognise the particular responsibility truck drivers have in relation to road safety.”

“It will undoubtedly save many lives across the EU and in Ireland. Fewer collisions will also save transport employers the costs of vehicle repair and loss of trade. It will also be easier for professional drivers to find employment in any EU member state once they have a Driver CPC.”

He added: “Driver CPC for Bus drivers was introduced a year ago on 10th September 2008. It is important that all professional Bus and Truck drivers are aware that the implementation of Driver CPC signifies the importance of professional drivers to the economy and to the EU as a whole.

It also illustrates the need for professional driving to be put on an equal standing with other professions in the workplace. We are confident that the industry will embrace the new certification as part of their commitment to saving lives on our roads and improving Eco- driving which will have financial benefits to the industry.”