Taxibus drivers are first in County
Taxibus drivers prove they're the best' Taxi Drivers in Essex first to gain NVQ qualifications 20 drivers and staff working for the Chelmsford based taxi and bus operator, Group Taxibus Ltd are the first in Essex to have successfully completed their NVQ Level 2 Qualification in Passenger Transport. The pilot course, completed in July 2006, was run by ABA Training Ltd and based around the drivers' normal working shifts. The training included theory mixed with practical demonstrations, as well being assessed whilst working to ensure the learning was being applied on the job. The course included customer service, disability awareness, health and safety, licensing and regulations. Local Licensing Officers delivered updates on legislation. A final on-line exam meant delegates also passed their Level 2 BTEC Award in Transporting Passengers by Taxi and Private Hire. Support staff took the qualification alongside the drivers, reinforcing Taxibus's commitment to improving team working through training. Lots of ideas and suggestions came up, including a customer service questionnaire designed by the drivers themselves, providing feedback from customers about the standards of service provided. 2 of Taxibus's drivers went on to take their A1 Assessor Award and are now qualified to assess other people taking the NVQ qualification. Funding for the training was provided by LSC Essex through Profit from Learning and it is hoped that further funding through Train to Gain will enable the remaining 130 drivers to benefit from the same level of training. David Prior, Operations Director said 'We consider the provision of training to be as important as the investment in vehicles. This training further reinforces our position in the marketplace to provide the highest standards of passenger transport. I believe all the candidates have benefited from the learning, and Taxibus has certainly benefited through drivers feedback enabling us to improve the way we do things. Another direct result is we now have key drivers who can train others in various areas such as loading wheelchairs, school contract work and driving standards We intend to train the rest of the drivers and staff, and will be using our own trainers and assessors working with ABA Training, which will make the programme even more flexible. Our local authority is beginning to put a scheme together to use certain units of the NVQ as a prerequisite to obtaining a PHV or Hackney badge....our drivers are ahead of that." ABA Training Director, Anne Howes, said: "We are delighted with the outcomes of this programme. It was the first programme of its kind in Essex, and we believe it is one of the first programmes in the UK where people have gained both NVQ and BTEC qualifications. The training was a lot of fun as well as challenging at times. The initial reaction from drivers was to question the need for this type of training, particularly those that saw obtaining their badge as their 'qualification'. However, as the programme progressed everyone got really involved and we had positive feedback from everyone involved. We even managed to turn some of the sceptics turn into ambassadors for learning. The next stage for us is to rolling the programme out to other Companies throughout Essex, as well as train the rest of Taxibus drivers." One of the original sceptical drivers, Terry Weeks, who was one of the first to complete both qualifications, said: "Although I was reluctant to do this qualification in the first place, as much of it is common sense, I have learnt a heck of a lot from it, particularly about licensing and the legality side of the job I do. It's certainly given me a different perspective of the job. Now it's over, I'm glad I did it. I feel I have achieved something and would recommend other drivers to do it. The time span was difficult, as we had to do it quickly because of the funding. I hope this qualification now converts into additional income." Satisfied with how things have gone, ABA Training is looking to future training opportunities and encouraging other drivers of the benefits of taking a nationally recognised qualification: "We would like to thank the Chelmsford Council Licensing Officers who participated in the delivery of the legislation training which gave the delegates a chance to raise any issues and concerns directly with them. It has certainly helped to forge good relationships all round. We hope other Licensing Authorities will be as positive as we extend the programme to other Boroughs. ABA Training can be contacted on 01787 377988 or 01277 654172 Taxibus can be contacted on 01245 350350 ENDS Notes for Editor Contact Details David Prior, Operations Director Group Taxibus - 01245 495353 / 07775 647847 Anne Howes, Director, ABA Training Ltd, based in Billericay, Essex - 01277 654172 / 07802 646520 Email: anne@aba-training.com Bill Shirley, Director based at company address: South Suffolk Business Centre, Alexandra