DRIVER CPC Legislation in the UK:

The Operator

Millbrook, 4th October 2012

Steve ELLIS Head of Training Road Haulage Association

IRU Driver CPC event

4th October 2012

DCPC – Has it become a box ticking exercise ?

• In a nutshell - Yes

• Then again - No

• But, perhaps - Maybe

What is he talking about ?

• Approximately, 40,000 Hauliers and a similar number of Own Account operators

• Covered by the same regulations• Entirely different businesses with disparate needs,

demands, standards and budgets• There is only one common denominator• The things with a wheel at each corner

What has been done, then ?

• We are aware of companies that require drivers to attend the same course for consecutive years

• Without fail, Drivers Hours• Is this box ticking or sensible confirmation of a key

subject ?• Show of hands, please

Any horror stories ?

• Plenty, but I am not sure of the truth behind them• Only one major training provider publicly held to

account – URTU (including fraud charges)• This from approximately 1,100 Approved Providers• 0.09090909 %

What does success look like ?

• Measurable in a number of ways• I would suggest two key areas in which to raise

standards of driver professionalism• Operational benefits• Financial benefits

Operational benefits

• Increased self confidence in the individual’s ability to do the job.• We have seen this reflected in driver’s attitudes in Year 2 and beyond • Job specific skills training leads to reduced error (and in our industry, offending) rates and more

productive staff• Measurable in tacho infringements and improved road side check results• Improved Customer service and relations• Little feedback on this significant area• Increased job satisfaction and motivation• Even some of the most anti drivers have been motivated following our sessions (not 100%,

but some major conversions on the road to DCPC )• Reduced staff turnover• No evidence of DCPC impacting • Development of talented individuals• No evidence of DCPC impacting• Differentiator between contractors• Definitely a factor in a number of ITTs we have seen• Improved management productivity (managers are not wasting time “clearing up” after poorly

trained staff )• Direct results of some of the above successes

Financial benefits

Reduced Fuel ConsumptionDefinite success where chosen. Too few choosing this option Reduced Maintenance CostsNo evidence of operators corelating this to DCPCReduced Damage CostsClear evidence of success both on road and off roadManaged Insurance ratesUnfortunately little evidence, a few examplesReduced Error ratesInsufficient evidence availableImproved Customer retentionInsufficient evidence available Improved productivity Definite evidence of improved productivity among drivers undergoing further in cab training due to DCPC programmes

What’s our score ?

• Evidence of DCPC contributing to Operational benefits =

• Yes 5• No 0• Maybe 3

What’s our score ?

• Evidence of DCPC contributing to Financial benefits =

• Yes 3• No 0• Maybe 4

DCPC – Has it become a box ticking exercise ?

• The jury is still out , but appear to be heading towards a wary NO

• It is moving away from a box ticking exercise as operators and drivers recognise the opportunities on offer

• Time will ensure it falls firmly into the category of recognised Professional Development, but that will involve a new generation of drivers with a more open mind than some (by no means all) of the current incumbents

Thank you