TRAINING OPERATIONS DIVISION NEWS

Jay Mathews has worked as a taxi driver, in the Taunton area for the last fourteen and a half years, the majority of this time he has spent working for a taxi company, until he decided to go solo. Seventeen months ago Jay decided to trade as an Independent Taxi driver, which he says, “Was the best thing I ever did”. Around Christmas 2006, Jay attended a seminar for taxi companies and drivers and this is where he found out about, the BTEC and NVQ Level 2 in Road Passenger Transport. Jay enrolled onto the NVQ program with PDM Training & Consultancy Ltd in March 2007 and within six months he had completed the qualification.

Reflecting on what he achieved on the programme Jay states:
“Over all the NVQ, was professionally presented and delivered by PDM” adding, “It was an excellent and very informative course and although I have been driving taxis for over fourteen years, there was still room for me to learn even at my age.”

If you would like more information on improving your skills and or undertaking refresher training through participation on a vocational qualification specifically tailored for Taxi drivers, please visit the Taxi page of this website and use the links provided to register your interest. A PDM representative will contact you in due course to discuss the options available to you...

Motts Travel is one of the largest operators of luxury coaches in the county of Buckinghamshire. Established in the 1960's; the company has developed into the premier operator in the area, synonymous with reliability and quality. Motts Travel are a flexible general coach operator covering school contracts, private hires and from their very own Holiday Shop, a varied schedule of daytrips and holidays.

The Challenge
In this highly competitive industry, Motts Travel offers prompt and reliable coach and bus services to clients whilst remaining flexible and friendly in all aspects of service. Their experienced coach drivers are the face of the company, dealing directly with clients on a daily basis. Training is now a major priority, with customer service and safe, efficient driving particularly important. Repeat custom is important so we must ensure that all circumstances are handled in a positive manner. Motts Travel use modern techniques and technologies for delivering high quality training and operational reporting.

The Solution
In the short time that PDM have been delivering Vocational Qualifications to Motts Travel, there have been many achievements and valuable experiences gained. Drivers have undertaken and are working towards the Level Two NVQ in PCV Coach Driving, a programme which has provided support and formal training for all vital parts of the drivers’ role. The NVQ programme began with an induction period and progress on the NVQ course is monitored by means of a training log. PDM also provided a bespoke training package to complement the NVQ which in this case covered areas such as Manual Handling and First Aid.

The Results
The scheme has provided Motts Travel with the perfect training solution delivered by professionals to professionals. Since November 2007, eleven drivers have been assessed with further inductions planned. As well as the drivers NVQ, a ‘traffic manager’ is undertaking the Team leader’s NVQ. Participation on the programme will increase awareness of all staff in relation to their role as key deliverers of the company’s vision of a ‘flexible and friendly’ service.

Who pays for this training programme?
This valuable training is funded through the governments (LSC) Train to Gain initiative and importantly the NVQ programme is delivered in the workplace (on and off the road) to provide maximum flexibility. The additional training provided by PDM has taken place under the company’s own roof (PDM can also provide off site facilities). As part of the NVQ programme PDM deliver 2 hours of training which employers routinely use to evidence CPD and periodic training in mandatory subjects such as Health & Safety and Equal Opportunities. Motts Travel invests significantly in on-going staff development for their staff.

Streamline Warrens Taxis – Raise the bar in Bournemouth

Established for over 50 years, Streamline Warrens Taxis are now one of the largest independent companies in Bournemouth.

In 2003 the present owners Mark and Nicky Smith took over and formed a limited company. A large financial investment followed resulting in the following improvements:

A fleet of over 45 cars and still expanding – they provide a speedy service to suit all needs, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The fleet includes 4,5,6,7 and 8 seated vehicles including wheelchair accessible vehicles, the newly installed state of the art computerised booking and dispatch systems interact with sophisticated phone systems to provide a fast and efficient service for any length of journey.

All their drivers are licensed and CRB checked and all Streamline Warrens drivers are qualified or are undertaking a detailed vocational programme of training with PDM Training & Consultancy; the bespoke training is funded through the governments Train to Gain initiative which aims to improve access to quality training and continuous professional development. The RPT BTEC qualification delivered by PDM Training & Consultancy provides for a more professional, customer focussed driver. This training is validated in the workplace through participation on the L2 RPT NVQ.

How did the Train to Gain service provided by PDM assist the company?

1. It has encouraged all the drivers to focus on and raise the standard of service provided to the customer.
2. It provides a common high standard/benchmark for all drivers to aspire to.

Key Outputs as a result of the train to gain service:

1. Streamline Warrens Taxis provide an improved customer experience.
2. Customers do ask if the drivers have taken or are taking the NVQ and initial feedback suggests that our customers consider the qualification as a quality mark and an indication of better service.

Ongoing Involvement:

All Streamline Warren drivers have been encouraged to participate on the BTEC and NVQ and take up is wide spread.

Konectbus Ltd have fully committed themselves and their workforce to the Train to Gain initiative and are now fully engaged in the delivery of a Level 2 PCVD NVQ program to their drivers. The program is being coordinated and delivered on site by Tim Longland and Peter Saunders both of whom are experienced assessors and verifiers with significant operational competence in the PCV world. Utilising their experience the programme has being designed to fit around the work patterns and specific needs of Konectbus drivers and is delivered entirely in the in the workplace. Konectbus Training Manager Tim Moore is totally focused on qualifying all his drivers; 31 drivers enrolled onto the programme in June (2 have already completed and a further 10 drivers wish to enrol onto the program).
Tim Moore briefed PDM that it is the company’s aspiration that all staff should have the opportunity to achieve a level 2 NVQ where possible. Tim went on to say that his drivers had commented favourably on the course saying that they were learning as well as being reminded and revised on all aspects of PCV competence and legislation...